WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is primarily a physical response. When you are stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and it switches to 'fight or flight' mode - aka the body's 'sympathetic' state. This releases a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline to prepare the body for physical action. In turn, this causes a number of reactions, such as blood being diverted to muscles, which shuts down less immediately necessary bodily functions such as digestion.
Of course some stress is good and we need it to survive. Fight or flight mode can still help us survive dangerous situations, such as reacting swiftly to slam on the brakes when a person has run out in front of your car when you are driving. Too much stress though can be like a bridge that is carrying too much weight, eventually it is going to collapse. In the case of a bridge we would likely see some early warning signs before the collapse occurs, such as the bridge beginning to bow, buckle and creak. Similarly there are often early warning signs for people, but far too often we ignore them and try to carry on.
When our bodies are in a state of stress in situations where it is not immediately required, the blood flow still goes only to the most important muscles required to flee or fight. Then brain function is minimised, which can lead to an inability to think clearly. This state of being is a huge hindrance in our lives, being either at work or at home. And existing in a prolonged state of stress can be very detrimental to your health.
SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
Difficulty breathing
Blurred eyesight or sore eyes
Fatigue
Muscle aches and headaches
Chest pains
Indigestion or heartburn
Constipation or diarrhoea
Feeling sick, dizzy or fainting
Sudden weight gain or weight loss
Developing rashes or itchy skin
Sweating
Changes to your period or menstrual cycle
Existing physical health problems getting worse
Depression
High blood pressure
Anxiety
Mood swings
Headaches
Withdrawing and isolating oneself
Increased use of alcohol or smoking
A change in eating habits
Changes in close relationships
Musculoskeletal pain in the low back and upper extremities
SOME SERIOUS EFFECTS OF STRESS
Heart or cardiovascular disease (the heart is the first organ in the body to experience stress)
Taking ones own life
Chronic painful conditions
Mental and emotional breakdown
Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous and reproductive systems.
HOW BOWEN THERAPY CAN HELP WITH STRESS
Bowen Therapy works with the fascia, which holds on to trauma throughout a person's lifetime and it can help to release these emotions. And it works with the body's nerve receptors to calm down and reset the nervous system. During a Bowen Therapy session the body is prompted to go from the 'Sympathetic' state of fight, flight and freeze - into the 'Parasympathetic' state of rest, relax and digest.
By having a Bowen treatment we are saying to the body, "Stop the emergency". Most people experience feelings of relaxation and well-being at the end of a session. Bowen is seen to be able to help reduce stress levels and moves the body into a more balanced state so that the anxious state can be lessened. It helps reduce the mental, emotional and physical aspects of stress.
