Stress booster meaning

By Hayden Shearman All across the world, for the past 14 months or so of Covid lockdowns and restrictions and uncertainties, stress levels have been running pretty high. There’s a good chance we’ve all got at least a mild case of chronic stress. So, how can we use running to break up that stress and not just boost it? • Acute is Good. Our bodies have a wonderful short term stress response. We’ve used it in dangerous situations for thousands of years. But when that stress response becomes consistent over time, that’s when it can lead to big problems with our health and running performances. The magic with running is knowing just the right amount of acute (i.e. one-off) training stress to give it in a good ol’ fashioned “stress buster” workout that won’t send the chronic (i.e. ongoing) training stress through the roof. That’s where a workout like this week’s Workout of the Week fartlek session is ideal for adapting the workout to our bodies rather than the other way around. • Recovery is Key. Of course, if you’re going to nail yourself with a “stress buster” workout you need to recover equally as hard. This is where many runners, who use running as a way to deal with the stressors of life, come unstuck because they can often turn to hard sessions and excessive mileage too often. Instead, have some intentional recovery methodologies you can turn to frequently: yoga, ice bath/hot tub, massage, foam rolling etc. • Physical vs Mental. This week’s Workout of the Week is the perfe...

Share on Pinterest We often hear how stress can wreak havoc on the body. It can As a long-time anxiety suffer, I have a love-hate relationship with stress. This might sound strange. But although stress takes my mind on an irrational rollercoaster from time to time, it’s ironic that I feel the most energetic and prolific when under pressure. Don’t misunderstand me. I would love to wake up in the morning to roses and sunshine without a single stressor in the world, but we all know that’s not going to happen. So rather than nurture the elusive dream of a stress-free existence, I see the glass half full, and you should, too. Because whether you realize it or not, the stress might make you a smarter, healthier, and a stronger person. Some people think any type of stress is bad, but this isn’t the case. In truth, all stress is not created equal. Obviously, when you’re overwhelmed and under pressure it’s hard to see the silver lining. And if someone told you stress is beneficial to your health, you might laugh them off or suggest they have their head examined. But there’s validity in this statement. This doesn’t mean you should make your life as complicated and stressful as possible. The saying “ But although you should do whatever it takes to avoid this type of relentless mental abuse, you should welcome moderate doses of stress with open arms. Humans have a flight-or-fight response, which is an inborn physiological reaction that occurs when they’re under attack. Your body is wi...

Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body. Serotonin plays a key role in such body functions as mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, blood clotting and sexual desire. Serotonin levels that are too low or too high can cause physical and psychological health problems. Overview What is serotonin? Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It also acts as a hormone. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin carries messages between nerve cells in your brain (your central nervous system) and throughout your body (your peripheral nervous system). These chemical messages tell your body how to work. Serotonin plays several roles in your body, including influencing learning, memory, happiness as well as regulating body temperature, sleep, sexual behavior and hunger. Lack of enough serotonin is thought to play a role in Most of the serotonin found in your body is in your gut (intestines). About 90% of serotonin is found in the cells lining your gastrointestinal tract. It’s released into your blood circulation and absorbed by platelets. Only about 10% is produced in your brain. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. An essential amino acid means it can’t be made by your body. It has to be obtained from the foods you eat. What does serotonin do in my body? Serotonin plays a role in many of your body’s functions: • Mood: Serotonin in your brain reg...

Endorphins are a type of “feel-good” brain chemical. They act as natural pain and stress relievers. The body releases them during pleasurable activities, such as sex and exercise. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are the primary producers of endorphins, though endorphins may come from other parts of the body as well. A person may want to increase their endorphin levels for several reasons — most notably because endorphins can be helpful when a person is hurt, feels stressed or anxious, or needs a self-esteem boost. Endorphins may also promote memory and cognitive health and support a healthy immune system. This article looks at how endorphin levels can both help and hurt the body and provides tips for naturally boosting endorphin levels. Share on Pinterest John P Kelly/Getty Images Endorphins are neuropeptides, or chemical signals in the brain, that block the perception of pain. The body makes endorphins. Endorphins are Opioids have profound Common opioid drugs include: • oxycodone • hydrocodone • codeine • morphine • fentanyl Some illegal drugs, such as heroin, are also opioids. Both legal and illegal opioid medications have potential for While endorphins may not have as large of an effect as opioids, they can produce a “high” that is both healthy and safe. Chemically synthesized opioids work Increasing the body’s natural endorphin levels may be an effective way for a person to improve their overall health. Although • reduce symptoms of • improve moods • boost self-e...

Share on Pinterest Andrea Gjestvang/Getty Images Feeling a little down after receiving some unpleasant news? Trying to beat the Even minor disappointments and frustrations can derail your daily activities and leave you grumpy, miserable, and completely disinterested in the things you need or want to take care of. You know you need a little pick-me-up to make it through the day smoothly, but you’re less sure about exactly what to do to feel better. That’s totally normal — emotional distress doesn’t have to be extreme to make spotting solutions difficult. But a bad mood left to simmer often boils over, leaving you feeling worse. Ignoring the source of your bad mood won’t make it disappear, but there’s nothing wrong with setting it aside temporarily to focus on something that makes you feel good instead. Below, you’ll find seven ideas to try when you want to give your mood a little jump start. Bonus: You don’t have to pay for any of them. A short wander through the nearest park, or any other green space, can do a lot to bust a low mood. Walking in nature, as a matter of fact, takes a 3-for-1 approach to boosting the production of “ If it’s the midafternoon slump or a long night leaving you a little gloomy, a brisk 10-minute walk can increase blood flow to your brain and energize you, easing feelings of fatigue and sluggishness. Of course, And let’s not forget about Nature can boost feelings of happiness and reduce stress, but it can also help improve your ability to focus, wh...

Do you dig through piles of clothes to find the shirt you want to wear for the day? When you leave the house, do you struggle to find your keys and your wallet among all the items on your kitchen table? Maybe you can't open the garage door all the way because there are so many boxes of knick-knacks in there. While accumulating a few extra possessions may not seem like a big deal, clutter can actually have a negative impact on your mental health. Clutter can increase This article covers what clutter is, clutter's impact on mental health, what hoarding is, as well as ways you can manage clutter and get organized. • Do you own anything that you never use or no longer need, like clothes that don't fit anymore or old electronic devices? • Do you have a "junk drawer" of things you think you'll need, but don't ever use? • Do you find yourself buying new items to replace ones you've lost in your house? • Do you lack access to certain spaces in your home (i.e., you can't open the door to your basement or park in your garage)? • Are you afraid to have houseguests over because of the messy state of your home? Trouble Controlling Impulses One study found that a cluttered environment combined with an "out-of-control mind-set" triggered participants to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors. In other words, the research suggests that it can be more difficult to control your impulses when your mental health and your environment are stressful or "chaotic." • They feel overwhelmed: It's ofte...