Even if stress is not a causal factor in your health concerns, it always worsens any symptoms you may currently be experiencing. Stress is impacting us on a daily basis, from the death of a loved one and financial stress, to finding balance between work and home life. Even the daily hassles of life, like house cleaning and commuting can have tremendous impact on how we feel. When we are experiencing the stress response, we are in what is classically called the “fight or flight” mode. This involves the activation of our sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with action, and movement, and the parasympathetic nervous system, the relaxation system responsible for digestion and healing is turned off. Additionally, secretion of a number of stress hormones such as cortisol, and adrenaline compound the stress reaction. The system evolved so that we could run away from a threat or face a threat and fight.

However, nowadays, the response happens anytime we feel threatened, and that can be in our work life, our home life, or anywhere we start to feel nervous, anxious or agitated. The hormones are also secreted when we are experiencing physical stressors, such as poor diet, smoking, drinking, chronic pain, chronic inflammation, and other health issues. Even positive stressors can have a negative impact. The person who loves a roller coaster still experiences an adrenaline rush, and the body can’t necessarily differentiate between that positive stressor versus the adrenaline rush that results from arriving 10 minutes late to your child’s recital. While we can’t necessarily eliminate all stressors, Dr. Cristina can help you find ways to limit them, and can teach you ways to manage your stress. Also, Dr. Cristina has numerous naturopathic treatments that she can utilize to help achieve balance in the stress hormones and the nervous system.