We’ve all had stressful phases. Maybe they’re caused by too many meetings during the day, an upcoming exam, or an argument with a friend. Stress comes and goes; that’s part of life. But if you’re too stressed for too long, this can have serious consequences for your body and mind.
Stress usually causes symptoms like headaches, because your muscles are cramping up – this is a natural reflex by the body as it prepares for an (internal) struggle. In the long term, tension and sore muscles will persist, especially in the neck and back area, which can also manifest as tension headaches.
Sleeplessness and changes in weight can be signs of too much stress. Every person reacts differently to stress. It can lead to uncontrolled weight gain due to “stress eating” or to a complete loss of appetite.
Under stress, our body produces more cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, the latter can help us focus better, which can be helpful when writing an exam, for example. In the long term, however, overproduction causes brain functions to change. The liver reacts by increasing glucose production to balance your hormones. This can increase the likelihood of developing diabetes.
The body needs to transport more oxygen in stressful situations, so it speeds up our breathing patterns and puts us in an alert fight-or-flight mode. Persistent bad breathing patterns can cause further issues, such as problems concentrating or even digestive disorders. The constant fight-or-flight mode makes it increasingly difficult to calm down. Conscious breathing exercises can help break this cycle.
Our heart also gives the command to pump more blood through the body when we experience stress. Increased blood pressure, combined with stress hormones, has a negative effect on the heart. With time, the risk of heart disease or cardiovascular problems increases, which can ultimately lead to a stroke.
Did you ever have the feeling of a sinking stomach? This can also occur due to stress and can lead to heartburn, constipation or diarrhea.
It’s therefore good to keep focusing on your breathing.
Your breathing patterns help you center yourself, supply your organs with more energy and relax your muscles. This increased oxygen supply literally lets your body breathe a sigh of relief.
A rebounding workout on the bellicon mini-trampoline will make your endorphins jump for joy, and you’ll feel more relaxed, happier and stronger after just a few minutes of bouncing. Incorporate this self-care practice into your life on a daily basis and discover a sense of well-being for your body, mind and soul.