Signs of Stress,
Anxiety and Depression.
'Marianna' John Everett Millais, 1850-01.
Throughout The Captains Lady you will read about stress and stress syndrome management. You'll learn about 'Soul-full' Therapies and discover special tools to aid in learning how to cope with, or even eliminating, certain symptoms and syndromes.
However, on this page, you'll have the opportunity to take a look at signs of stress, specifically anxiety and depression, some of their causes, and some simple measures you can take, right now, today, to begin turning your energy level around.
Syndromes of Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Tension Headache, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Back pain, Chronic Fatigue, Hypoglycemia, Chest Pain, Interstitial Cystitis, Epstein-Barr Virus, Sleep Disorder, Depression, Irritable Bowel or Bladder, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Meniere's, Hyperventilation, Panic Attack, Pelvic Pain and TMJ.
What is Stress?
Stress is any event, action or thought that requires that we change or adapt. Stress, both real, perceived (or imagined), can cause a host of symptoms including anxiety and depression.
Some Causes of Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Nutritional Deficiencies
Stress (both good and bad)
Food Additives
Toxic Intestinal Waste
Lack of Daylight
Energy Imbalances
Medical Conditions
Skull Distortion
Lack of Sleep
Lack of Purpose
HSP: Highly Sensitive Person (being a)
Atlas Neurovascular Syndrome
High Levels of Stress Hormones
pH Imbalances (high levels of acidity in the body)
Negative Thinking & Rage
Methyl Imbalance
IBS - Irritable Bowel/Bladder
Lack of Exercise
Hormone Imbalances - Adrenal Burn Out/Menopause (women)/Andropause (men)
Pscyho/Spiritual Issues
Hypoglycemia/Diabetes
Spine Distortion
Bad Stress Response
Prescription & OTC (over-the-counter) Drugs
Tooth Decay/Gum Disease
Chronic Muscle Tensing/Tension
Lack of an Emotional Support Network
Dizziness, Tinnitus & Meniere's
What's going On In Your Life?
Of those suffering from stress, 93% have had an accumulation of stressful life events, both good or bad, that are higher than others. The more you have had to deal with a change in career, relationships or marriage, health, family, death, finances and geographical locations, just to name a few, the harder it becomes to bounce back. these things are draining and when they happen often, they become a powerful surge that leaves one depleted of reserves.
Being hypersensitive (an HSP) may also cause one to be vulnerable to anxiety, phobias and depression. You may not relate to being psychic, but you do share characteristics with those considered psychic. Because of this, Highly Sensitive People become overloaded and overwhelmed with other's emotions, pain and problems. This is why malls, restaurants and other crowded places are often avoided by HSPs. In fact, depending on just how easily an HSP picks up the vibrations of others, he or she may even avoid people and places all together. Sensitivities can lead to anxiety attacks. Anxiety attacks lead to Avoidance. Avoidance leads to Agoraphobia.
How Do You React To Stress?
How you react to stress is not just a result of your mental outlook or your genes. It is both. Sorry to say, but some of us are predispositioned to get stressed out more than others just because of the way we are built. But, there are ways of managing stress so that we don't become ill from it. Between your emotions and your genes, you may be feeling pretty hopeless.
Did you know that emotional problems can be seen in the lining of your gut? When you are angry the mucosa in the stomach turn bright red and can cause pain. When frightened it turns pale and when overwhelmed, or depressed, stomach contractions decrease. This is just one of the body's responses to just one emotion! Too much of this going on and you could be looking at a severe case of Irritable Bowel.
It's OK. We all have our special uniqueness (and weaknesses), even those who are not highly sensitive people. That is why I created The Captains Lady, so that we all, and I mean we, might have a continuous source of all natural alternatives to keep us from becoming overwhelmed and dis-eased!
The Zodiac & Signs of Stress
Aquarius: Calves, shins, ankles, blood pressure and circulation.
Pisces: Feet, lymph glands, kidney, bladder and mental state.
Aries: Head, eyes, nose, face, lips, upper teeth, head hair and adrenal glands.
Taurus: Lower teeth, cheek, neck, throat, vocal cords and thyroid.
Gemini: Shoulder, chest, upper arms, hands, wrist, brain, tongue, pupils and nerves.
Cancer: Chest and breast, lungs, stomach and alimentary canal.
Leo: Spine, back, heart and solar plexus.
Virgo: Stomach, abdomen, intestines, digestion, nervous system, uterus and skin.
Libra: Lower back, kidney, urinary tract, haunches, pancreas and bladder
Scorpio: Reproductive areas and sex organs.
Sagittarius: Hips, thighs, sciatic nerve, bone and liver.
Capricorn: Skeleton, knee tendons, upper teeth, nerves, hair and skin conditions.
The Vitruvian Man by DaVinci
Physical Signs of Stress & Emotional Causes
Lungs: Grief and sadness.
Neck problems: The heart and mind not bridged in alignment.
Shoulders: Bearing burdens and the weight of the world alone.
Back and Legs: Being financially or emotionally unsupported.
Knees: Facing difficulty surrendering to a higher will.
Liver: Carrying around anger.
Simple Measures To Reduce Stress
Get a massage. Share one or give yourself one.
Be 'intimate' and 'romantic' with your spouse/significant other. The letter differences between celibate and celebrate are the 'I' and the 'R'. I like to think the 'I' stands for intimacy and 'R' stands for respect. Without respect there is no romance and without romance there's no intimacy (meaning closeness). Therefore, encourage respect and the rest will follow!
Use Fung Shui in your home, office and car.
Take two 10-minute rests during your day.
Don't read or watch the paper or the News for 1 week.
Place a calming picture on your car visor to look at when stuck in traffic.
Invest in some magnetic jewelry (not if you have heart problems or a pace-maker).
Buy your Christmas and Birthday gifts all year long. How fun is that!
Break down tasks and projects into smaller chunks of 'To-Dos'.
Do maintenance activities. Bake, clean, get rid of junk, redecorate a little, garbage and all things you do not use (or store it away), mow the lawn, wash the car inside and out.
Get out of debt. Start by balancing your checkbook, then organize your bills, pay more than what is expected on your credit cards every month, put the 'plastic' away. Try not to live beyond your means. Pay your friends and family back. This is the worst kind of debt, being not only financial, but emotional burdening as well.
Make procrastination lists. Whatever doesn't get done today, place it on a new list for tomorrow. For those things that keep getting transferred, ask for help with or maybe decide a time frame for them until you are ready.
Take care of your own responsibilities and let others take care of theirs. Know when It is OK to help and be helped, but own your own personal 'stuff', whatever that may be.
Get rid of harmful addictions. Are there any addictions that aren't harmful? Think about it.
Go for a brisk 20-minute walk, if you can. It will change your perspective.
Have a heart to heart with someone with someone who does not judge you. Sometimes hearing yourself think can give you answers that were already inside of you. Or, your friend may have some wise advice.
No one to talk to? Write a letter that will never be sent or given, just to get things off your chest. This is especially helpful when you have things to say to someone who is no longer with you (or available) or would not validate what you have to say. Do it for you.
Just say "No". And, this can be hard to do. Some of us feel guilty telling others no. And maybe it is something you would really like to do, but if you are always feeling tired, rushed, out of time or energy, it is necessary.
Just say "Yes". When we feel overwhelmed, depressed and isolated, sometimes the best thing we can do is say yes to invitations, to taking ourselves by the hand to get outdoors, or to picking up the phone to call someone. Isolation is never good for extended periods of time. Say "Yes" to opportunities to increase your self-esteem!
Eat as well as you possibly can. Take your vitamins, but only the ones you know you need.
Find something you are passionate about. What is it that really care about, makes you smile, makes you feel like a better person for being involved with? Do you love animals, like to sing, love to paint, to write, to cook? Find that something that you like to do, or would like to learn, that would capture your interest so much that you would not even notice the time. What captures your interest and your heart as well?
One of the best things you can do...
especially if you are a Highly Sensitive Person, is to determine what causes you the most stress and build your life around that. I am not suggesting you should try to create a life that is null and void of stress, avoiding everything that stresses you out, but to become aware of those things that trigger anxiety, discomfort, feeling drained and that may eventually lead to dis-ease.
Figure out how to change or adapt to those things in your life that cause you a great deal of stress. It could be that the only thing that you will be able to change is your own reaction to them. You may have to retrain yourself in order to manage your life.
You may also have to accept that there are just certain things you may have never have control over and will never be able to change. Know that there is nothing wrong with avoiding people, situations and places that make you uncomfortable as long as you are providing a life for yourself that is otherwise rich in the ability to grow, build self-esteem and offers you the avenue to pursue your greatest passions. You are the only one living in your body and only you know what is right for you.
My web page, 'Dealing With Negativity', is available to help you to reclaim your inner confidence and self-esteem. There you will find the 'Building Your Self-Esteem Guide', The 8 Qualities of a Wealthy Woman', and tips on what you can do to protect yourself against negative relationships and situations so that you can regain your energy!
'A Carrack Before the Wind'. Style of Peter Breughl (Cornwall 1520-1569)
Blessings to you on your journey!
Smile and know you are on the right path!
- The Captains Lady
