Dr. Oz 5 Stress Busters For Chronic Stress
Today Dr. Elissa Epal Joins Oz in this segment of the show callled Dr Oz Ultimate Stress Checklist 5 Stress Busters For Chronic Stress. Dr Epal and Dr Oz explains how chronic stress takes a toll on your health and makes you older before your time. Learn how to cope and stay calm and collected by fighting stress.
Chronic stress is a top reason why women today are aging faster, getting sicker and dying before their time. Dr. Oz reveals his ultimate checklist for reducing stress, along with his at-home stress test.
In today’s busy world people accept chronic stress as part of everyday life. This thinking is extremely dangerous to your health. Up to 90% of all doctor visits in the United States are for stress-related illnesses. In fact, stress is the top reason why women are aging faster, getting sicker and dying before their time.
Chronic stress impacts 3 vital organs – the brain, the stomach and the heart; it weakens the immune system and increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems and possibly even cancer.
Research shows that stress affects the female heart on a microvascular level; plaque builds up within small arteries, which can lead to chest pains and even heart attacks.
On a cellular level stress increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol, causing inflammation and free radical damage that contributes to the premature aging of the body’s cells, shrinking of the brain and can add dangerous belly fat.
Conquer stress before it conquers you by reviewing Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Stress Checklist followed by his at-home stress test.
Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Stress Checklist
Dr Oz 5 Stress Busters
1. Avoid Stress Eating – In times of stress, the brain demands more calories. Stress eating has also been tied to excess belly fat, which is caused by increased cortisol production. On a previous Dr Oz show he did a segment on Passionflower for stress
Fight stress by avoiding processed foods containing white flour and refined sugars. They spike insulin and stress hormone levels. Reach for these stress-busting foods instead.
Whole grain cereals provide sustained energy release. Eat 1 cup of steel-cut oats per day.
Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids prevent stress hormones from surging. Eat fish like salmon twice a week.
Pistachios contain plant sterols, proven to lower blood pressure, and magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels. Eat 3-ounce handfuls a few times per week.
Dr Elissa Epel Practice Mindful Eating:
Several times throughout the day, especially before meals, determine whether you’re actually hungry or stressed out:
Rate your stress level.
Label what you’re feeling.
Rate your hunger level.
Ask yourself: Do I need calories now? Or am I feeling sad, lonely, bored or stressed? How can I meet this need? By separating emotions from hunger, you’ll better control your stress level and your appetite.
Dr Oz Stress Buster Vitamins B and C For Stress
2. Vitamins – Research shows that taking 50 mg of vitamin B and 1000 mg of vitamin C in times of stress, or for a couple days thereafter, can help regulate mood.
Dr Oz Stress Buster Walking Taking Steps
3. Exercise: Walking Stairs
Exercise releases serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones that become blocked during stress. Walking stairs is a great workout. One study showed that walking stairs 7 minutes a day reduces the risk of heart disease by two-thirds.
Dr Oz Stress Buster Alternative Treatments: Acupressure and Aromatherapy
4. These age-old treatments trigger stress-reducing chemicals in the brain.
Locate the acupressure point on your hand, the thenar branch of the median nerve located between your thumb and index finger. Massage for 5 minutes to lower cortisol levels and release the stress-reducing hormone oxtyocin.
Dr Oz recommends aromatherapy with lavender oil as a stress buster, proven to reduce anxiety and aid sleep. In a spray bottle, mix 10 drops of lavender oil with 2 cups of water. Spray around the house and on your pillow at night.
5. Dr Oz Find Your Stress Triggers
Dr Oz Stress Triggers
Figure out which situations cause your stress. Can you change the situation? If not, focus on controlling your response:
Avoid rehashing past events or projecting yourself into the future. This “time-travelling” puts the brain in a stressed state.
Stressful situations can lower self-esteem, perhaps causing you to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Remind yourself that thoughts are just thoughts, not facts.
Dr Oz Home Stress Test
Home stress test – Nail and Hair Growth – Intense stress levels can put nails into a dormant resting phase. Measure your nail growth for 1 month. Nails that grow less than 2 millimeters can signal of stress.
The same holds true with hair; if you don’t need a hair cut every 3 months, you may be stressed.
Sleep Habits
It’s a sign of stress if you’re unable to fall asleep within 30 minutes, or, if you’re waking up more than once a week in the middle of the night.
Teeth Grinding/Jaw Clenching
Do you wake up with tooth pain or a sore jaw? If so, you’re probably grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw as you sleep, another sign of stress.
Posture
Stand up straight against a wall. If both shoulders don’t make contact with the wall, it means you have hunched or raised shoulders, a chronic stress indicator.
Biofeedback
Stress causes your extremities to become cold. Test your stress level with a biofeedback device, which measures body temperature through your finger. By thinking relaxing thoughts you can actually heat up your body temp and de-stress. You can order in sets of 20 for about $35 online.
