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For the past two weeks or so, I’ve been through multiple illnesses rendering me unable to leave the bed. It has caused extreme stress on my body, and triggering multiple anxiety attacks. When thinking about the topic of today’s Fibro Live show, I decided to tackle the effects of stress and how to overcome it. It would not only help you cope better with stress, but it would help me as well. Two birds with one stone, if you will.

{Scroll down for the video of this show.}

the effects of stress and how to overcome it #FibroLive #BeingFibroMom — *created by Brandi Clevinger using the image from © phaitoon at www.stock.adobe.com*

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post, but these are products I recommend and have verified and/or used.

What causes stress?

Various activities, encounters, and situations can cause a person to be stressed. When you’re doing an activity such as running late for work, preparing for family to visit, or falling ill with an illness, your hypothalamus sends out stress hormones to your body. This is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. And for those of you similar to me, I add the word ‘frozen’ to this response. Seriously, I sometimes freeze when I’m too stressed.

What are the effects of stress?

In response to the stress hormones, a few things begin to happen: your breath begins to quicken, heart races, and muscles tense for action. As someone living with fibro, we are, for the most part, always in this state of ‘fight or flight’ (or ‘frozen).

What are the long term effects of chronic stress?

When our bodies perceive that the threat or fear has subsided, the body returns to its normal state. However, if that threat or fear does not leave, the body will state in the stressed state. This extended state of being in a heightened state is called chronic stress. Chronic stress can lead to long term effects on the body and many of its functions.

Long term effects include:

Difficult bowel movements
Exhaustion
Headaches
Depression
Anxiety
Overeating or not eating
Inability to think clearly
Loss of hair
Back pains
low sex drive
Heartburn
Insomnia
Missed menstrual cycles
weakened immune system, and more.

How can you overcome stress?

There are various ways to overcome stress. Pick one, two, three, or more! Just don’t get stressed out making a choice! *wink*

Spend time with family and/or friends

Rather you play games, read together, or watch a movie, spending time with your loved ones will help you cope better with your stress. Even if you don’t tackle the issue causing you stress, just being in the company of others will raise your dopamine (or ‘feel good’) levels and lower your stress.

5 Fun & Unique Family Board Games to Play #boardgames #fibroparenting #beingfibromom — *stock image from Adobe Stock by © Francescolosenno and modified by Brandi, Being Fibro Mom*

Essential oils

After discovering that pain medications do not work for me, I’ve been using natural ways to relieve some of my symptoms. A few years ago I gave essential oils a try, and to my amazement they worked. This took a lot of convincing from me because I am skeptical of essential oils. I’ve been using oils for a few years now, and I’m still in awe of how they positively affect me.

For more information regarding essential oils, please contact me or you can visit my website.

Disclaimer: Essential oils do NOT claim to cure anything. Essential oils do help with various discomforts and can help with symptoms. Essential oils are NOT regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Note: Before using essential oils while taking any type of medicine, be sure there are no potential adverse reactions. To do that, talk to your physician or simply research the specific oil and the medication. Treat essential oils just like any regular medicine – there can be side effects just like anything else you put into/on your body.

Cannabis

A vast majority of individuals are not aware of the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. It is comprised of cannabinoid receptors, and are responsible for the breakdown of the active endocannabinoid compounds. These receptors and the system they are a part of help to generate cannabinoids within the brain that control emotional behavior, mood, stress, and fear.

In the article, The Endocannabinoid System and CBDs Role in Stress, Anxiety, and Fear, experts say that “preclinical and emerging human clinical data support the use of a CBD-rich or CBD-overweighted extract of cannabis for modulating fear, anxiety, and a healthy stress response.

Untangling fibromyalgia knots wiht medical cannabis #medicalcannabis #beingfibromom — *created by Brandi Clevinger using the image from © artstudio_pro at www.stock.adobe.com*

Try this workshop!

Donna, the writer and curator at Fed Up With Fatigue, wrote about a FREE online workshop offered by Julie Holliday. The workshops are this Wednesday and Sunday at 11 a.m. EDT. Julie’s workshops are geared towards taking back control and living a more balanced life that is enjoyable and relaxing. For more information or to sign up for the workshops, please visit Taking Back Control From Chronic Illness.