Eating Disorder Resource centre of Ireland
The Stress Pot & Eating Disorders
The only sure thing in our world is ''constant change''. Basically anything that makes the slightest impression on us, causing us to process new information is a stressor. A wedding or winning the lotto can be as stressful as being fired or divorced. Remember it is the emotional filter through which we perceive the event that gives rise to it being labelled good, bad or indifferent.
Stress accumulates and unresolved stress leads to short circuits or blocked energy in the body. This diminishes the body's capacity to handle situations, and over time the body is being depleted of energy and distress is born.
Stress is not simply emotional (engagement, divorce, fears, past trauma, new job, other life changes, both positive and negative). Stress is also structural (an accident ).
Stress is biochemical (coffee, pesticides, too much sugar). Stress is environmental (microwaves, fluorescent lights, toxins) and stress is behavioural (inadequate rest, repeated negative behaviours with food or people, perfectionism).
All stressors go into one pot in the body to assault your body's resources.
What's in your stress pot ?
What aspects cause you stress ?
Stress can affect you negatively or positively, depending on how you experience a situation.
Negative effects :-
The negative effects of stress are generated if too much or too little energy is mobilised in response , or if the stessor is not removed, or if you do not have the opportunity to act. These effects show themselves particularly in your state of health, in the level of your performance, and in your behaviour. Some appear immediately, while others only surface after a long period of high levels of stress.
Positive effects :-
The positive effects of stress emerge when the amount of energy mobilised is appropriate to the stressor, or when the stressor is removed and the energy is used and not allowed to accumulate, or when you are able to act.
The stress response puts you in a state of readiness and increases your chances of preventing threats and heading off attacks. In the right amount, stress has a stimulating effect. Many people thrive when they are faced with a number of demands and challenges. Stress enables you to mobilise all your forces in particularly demanding situations i.e. Sports contests, exams etc..
When you succeed in adapting your stress response to the stressor, you will experience stress energy as an extra strength which adds spice to your life !
If you learn to understand stress, you can lengthen your life and improve your quality of life.!
The stress response factor
When you are exposed to stress, you react with the stress response. Stress is very personal, what causes you stress, may have no affect on someone else. In some cases this response leads to… exhaustion, irritation, frustration, and illness if left unaddressed. In other cases, the stress response may be crucial in determining whether you can cope with a situation and perhaps even survive. When the brain registers a stressor, it immediately determines what response is demanded. Is this a purely routine situation ?, or does it in fact represent a threat or an exciting challenge ? This assessment determines the strength and duration of the response.
The stress response consists of the following ;-
- - more adrenaline is secreted.
- - breathing becomes more rapid.
- - blood pressure rises.
- - muscle tension increases.
- - senses are sharpened.
- - immune system functioning is reduced.
The stress response triggers the mobilisations of energy which consists of:-
The alarm phase - the body is activated and energy is mobilised.
The adaptation phase - the alarm phase reaction lessens and the level of energy adjusts to the demands.
Return phase - the energy level returns to normal.
Stress control
Stress is as a result of an imbalance between the demands on us and our perception of personal resources to deal with these demands. Simply put it is a reaction that a person has, when faced with a situation that they think they cannot cope with.
A person needs to become more aware of their resources, and identify that they have the capabilities to handle most situations that present themselves. If a situation arises that is unusual or alien, then instead of panicking and assuming that you cannot cope, why not stay calm and ask yourself….
What resource do I need to deal with this situation ?.
The fact that you have remained calm, will allow your brain to work effectively in finding the resource that you need. When a person panics the left and right sides of the brain cannot communicate and as such you draw a blank, or you feel you have not got the coping skills. This is not about ability, but about your reaction. Stress causes diminished awareness.
Anticipate stress by having priorities and balancing the demands being made on you.
Do not withdraw from social support.
Communicate your feelings.
Practice the art of relaxation.
Do not expect too much from yourself.
Do not feel you have to live up to others expectations.
Think positively about your own abilities and resources.
What's in your pot of stress ?
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Emotional stressors :-
- - past emotional trauma ?
- - current and future worries ?
- - fears and phobia's ?
- - lack of spiritual awareness ?
- - fear of success/ failure?
- - past patterns being repeated ?
Physical stressors :-
- - lack of exercise/too much exercise ?
- - poor posture ?
- - shallow breathing ?
behavioural stressors ?
- - inadequate sleep ?
- - use and abuse of drugs ?
- - dysfunctional behaviour
- - dysfunctional family
- - perfectionism ?
- - workaholism ?
- - lack of time management skills or organisation skills ?
In the above listings, which would be applicable to you ?
What stressors can be removed ?
What stressors can be reduced ?
What stressors can be managed more effectively ?
If you eat right, sleep right, manage your time, exercise, and educate yourself about the stress response, then your body will be given a chance to naturally manufacture the appropriate biochemical necessary for a balanced emotional state ! Bliss !!
Suzanne Horgan
director & founder
Certified Trainer in Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders and Obesity
Contact Us today..........info@eatingdisorders.ie