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Stress's Impact on the Body

8/10/2018

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Stress Affects Your Hair and Body, Studies Find 


Over 75% of Americans experience physical symptoms when stressed out, according to 2014 data gathered by the American Institute of Stress and these physical symptoms include health concerns such as obesity, hair fall, and skin damage. With 8 out of 10 Americans stressed out based on a Gallup poll in 2017, a good portion of the population is struggling to keep their fears and anxiety at bay and many are also experiencing negative effects on their hair and body. Although the latter is often the least of their concerns, physical symptoms signal the body’s and the mind’s need for positive changes. 

Stress, Anxiety, and Health

Anxiety is a reaction to stress and too much of the latter can even escalate to anxiety disorders based on the findings of the American Psychiatric Association but it’s not just the brain that is affected, the whole body can and will show signs of the problem too. Apart from affecting a person’s overall health, a study done by Fhionna R. Moore, Ph.D. found that men who have higher levels of stress hormones are deemed unattractive to women not because of their physical features but because their cortisol levels make them seem less healthy than others. Another study done by biologist Markus Rantala notes that men detect stress in women too and as a consequence, find women who are stressed out less attractive than their peers who aren’t.



The Effects of Stress and Anxiety on Your Skin and Hair

David Bank, M.D., a dermatologist, says that stress promotes skin irritants and can even cause wrinkles. According to Bank, this is because high levels of cortisol can deprive the skin of essential nutrients and oxygen. Dr. Howard Murad agrees and notes that stress results in acne and hyperpigmentation. However, it’s not just the skin that is affected, the hair takes much of the brunt as well. For hair to be healthy, there is a need to take care of one’s health, according to Women’s Health. In an interview with the magazine, Mizu New York Salon co-owner Damian Santiago said, “Over the years it has become easy to spot clients who are dealing with a lot of stress.” Santiago added that hair thinning, hair loss, and generally unhealthy hair are a result of stress. This claim is backed by Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. who notes that stress can cause hair fall and hair loss.


Stress, Anxiety, and Obesity

While the link between obesity and anxiety disorders has not been thoroughly studied, an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) notes that people who are stressed usually eat comfort food to “reduce the activity in the chronic stress-response network with its attendant anxiety.” According to the findings, this explains the obesity epidemic in the country. With the Gallup poll’s results in 2017 in mind, it is noted that many Americans are experiencing or have experienced unwanted weight gain due to stress.


Emotional Health and Your Teeth

The Academy of General Dentistry found that there is a link between dental health and stress as well. Dr. Nick Russo of the AGD says, “Stress affects the immune system, which fights against the bacteria that causes periodontal disease, making a person more prone to gum infection.” The link is confirmed by researchers at the State University of New York in Buffalo, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina. Although stress is a normal reaction to tense environments or circumstances, too much of it has a negative effect on a person’s overall health and by extension, also affects his or her appearance. To look and feel good, it is imperative to learn stress management techniques to keep stress and anxiety at bay.

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Looking After Your Mental Health as a New Mom

7/12/2018

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Looking After Your Mental Health As A New Mom

Becoming a new mom is a huge change in your life, and can be challenging. This little bundle of joy can be exhausting, especially in the early days, and almost 20% of new moms experience some kind of mental health issue, most commonly depression. A change in hormones, from pregnancy to postnatal can often contribute, but sometimes it is simply the lifestyle change and lack of sleep that affect how you are feeling. So what can you do to help look after your mental health in those early days?


Lifestyle Change

It comes as no surprise that having a new baby involves a complete lifestyle change. To help your mental health, it is important not to be angry or resentful about this. Sometimes new parents report feeling estranged or detached from their old life. They talk about loss, rather than an addition. They grieve or mourn what they had before, or who they previously were. Therapy can help you to adjust to the changes, and look forward to the future with your new baby.


Feeling Overwhelmed 

When you have brought your new baby home, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with jobs and household chores. As much as you can, try and delegate jobs - you will probably get a lot of visitors in the first few weeks, excited to see you and your new family addition. Give each of them a task, whether it’s a little washing up, or hanging out the laundry. Generally they will be more than happy to help. Asking for help is extremely important - tell your friends and family how you are feeling, and they can help you through these early stages of being a parent.


Getting enough Sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the biggest problems that affects new moms, and it can have a knock-on effect on your mental health. Surveys have shown that new moms often get less than 4 hours sleep each night. There is a complex relationship between depression and sleep. In a study of 19,000 people, those that were getting less that 7-9 hours sleep a night were five times more likely to have depression. For new parents, there isn’t a simple answer to the question “how do I get enough sleep?” However there is a lot to be said for that old saying “sleep when the baby sleeps.” Even a twenty minute nap can have a marked effect on how you feel, and how you deal with everyday life.


A note on Postpartum Depression 

Depression, and a milder form of this known as "the baby blues" are common for new moms. It is estimate that between 10 and 20% experience postpartum depression. Often it can be a combination of reasons that cause this, not just an adjustment in hormone levels. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion and physical discomfort after giving birth can exacerbate this. There can be feelings sadness, frequent crying, insomnia, anger and fear. You should never feel embarrassed about this and try to hide it. It is important to discuss your feelings with your partner, and with a medical professional, so that they can help you. If you feel that your state of mind is affecting your ability to look after your little one, then it is imperative that you ask for help - especially if is affecting your ability to bond with your baby.
There are many ways that postpartum depression is treated, not just with medication. Counselling and psychological therapy are often extremely effective. The Breakthrough Psychology Program can help you to deal with the symptoms, and understand your feelings and emotions better.


Finding Time For Yourself

When you are a new mom, it is important that you find a little time for yourself. Certainly you have a giant new responsibility, but even the smallest indulgence will help you to feel happy. One of the things often specified when new moms talk about the reason that they have the baby blues or postpartum depression is that they just don't feel like themselves anymore. Sometimes it takes a little reminder. It might be taking a bubble bath, or reading a few pages of a new book. It is these little things that will help you to remember that you are the same person that you were before you had a baby. Your identity hasn’t changed - you just have a little one now.
When you are a new mom, there isn’t one solitary way to ward off mental health issues. But understanding your lifestyle changes and giving yourself a break can really help you feel much better.

~ Jackie Edwards


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    Jackie Edwards

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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