Stress and Premature Aging – Is your stress showing?

All of us at one time or another experience chronic stress that is set off by events like divorce, financial crisis, unemployment, death in the family, illness, child rearing and even loneliness. Stress affects our minds, body, and behavior in many ways, and each of us experiences stress differently.

Small amounts of stress and stress in spurts seems to do little long-term damage, however, a massive amount of stress, or psychological stress for extended periods of time can do considerable damage by promoting homeostatic imbalance, or an unbalanced bodily state. These moments of intense, long-drawn-out emotional stress can be linked to biological aging that may directly affect our body systems, with the potential for damage at a cellular level.

Prolonged stress promotes premature aging throughout our bodies, including:

• the brain
• skin
• circulation
• heart
• joints
• digestive tract
• immune system
• cellular DNA

Emotional and mental stress increases our risk for countless diseases, inflammation, and weight gain, which as we know only triggers more stress.

During times of emotional distress, our body redirects the flow of blood to areas of the body that are considered vital for reacting to stress, and in doing so, leaves our skin without essential blood and oxygen, with impaired antioxidant enzymes, increased free radical production and tissue-damaging oxidants.

What’s more, histamines are released into the bloodstream, which can set off or further aggravate skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, welts, cold sores, blisters, hives, itching, and acne.

This effect on our body systems also impacts the body’s digestive system and its ability properly digest food. This negatively influences the health of our skin because essential nutrients are not effectively digested then absorbed, allowing impurities to accumulate. As a result the body is not able to eliminate the buildup of contaminants due to weakened micro-circulation, the small vessels of the circulatory system that are embedded within our organs and are responsible for moving toxins away from healthy tissues. A nasty cycle, to be sure.

So not only are we are left with the outward result of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, discoloration, and a dull and lifeless appearance, but our vital systems are directly affected by emotional stress as well.

Our normal human life expectancy is estimated to be 120 years, were it not for the diseases of premature aging - and premature ageing can be directly linked to stress because it stimulates the release of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, into the bloodstream.

Cortisol is the "stress response" hormone that helps to restore homeostasis, which is our body’s way of maintaining its internal equilibrium. The normal, beneficial function of cortisol is to break down glucose, protein, and fats in addition to having anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties.

Over stimulated cortisol levels, however, raise blood sugar, stimulate carbohydrate and sugar cravings, promote inflammation, increase fat accumulation in the liver, and slow metabolism.

Furthermore, prolonged cortisol production due to chronic stress can stimulate cortisol-induced collagen loss in our skin, which in turn reduces the skin’s ability to retain elasticity and moisture. The loss of elastin and collagen go hand in hand resulting in the unattractive signs of aging such as slack skin, poor texture and tone, and a dried out, craggy complexion.

In addition to changing the skin’s natural appearance, the increased cortisone secretion that suppresses the body’s immune system also lowers the skin’s defenses making it extremely susceptible to irritation from outside pollutants.

Other causes for increased cortisol levels in the blood are:

· caffeine

· sleep deprivation

· intense or prolonged physical exercise

· burnout

· extended periods of commuting, and

· severe trauma or events

Don’t stress out about being stressed out!

A health restoration program can set you on a path to successful stress management through a plan that promotes healthy lifestyle changes. Remember too, that managing stress begins with taking charge your emotions, your schedule, your environment, the way you handle problems, and by controlling your thoughts and mental activities. Stress management techniques for letting off steam include nutritional therapy, adequate sleep and exercise, music therapy, meditation, massage therapy, high-level conditioning, gentle but effective stretching like yoga and Pilates, or a simple moment of solitude with a cup of relaxing green, chamomile or passionflower tea.

And most of all...

“Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy” ~ Amy Alcott

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