Stress

What happens when you start to put yourself first

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Autumn Girl enjoying nature on the field. Beauty Girl Outdoors rAt first glance, this blog title may seem suspiciously self – serving or selfish in nature, but let me give some context. I work with many individuals who are stressed out, burnt out, and are needing much care. The trend is not represented by one small act of not putting your health as a priority, but rather over the course of time it may be from putting your family first, your job first, or others needs before your own. From this article, I want you to explore your own life and consider: have I been putting my health and needs last? Finally, I want you to then consider what might happen if you start to consider yourself of value enough to put higher on your list of priorities. This article is not meant to condemn, to ridicule, or make individuals feel like they have not been taking care of their health, but is meant to inspire you to consider your own needs and do some more loving things for yourself.

I was that person

I would like to start out this article by admitting my own weaknesses: I was that person. I was that person that would make my husband a healthy lunch and neglect to make one for myself i.e. I would not eat at all. I was that person that put my career before my own personal mental and physical health. I would often go all day without eating and tell myself that “I do not have time to eat”. I would put off exercising thinking that my business needs needed to come first. I often put more efforts behind charity work than actually caring for myself and asking myself what my body needed for nourishment. To be honest, I did not think I deserved that type of care, and took my “health” and body for granted. As a result, I felt weak, emotional, burnt out, stressed out, tired, and depressed. My husband and I decided to make some drastic health changes – eat a whole foods diet and exercise daily. With these changes I made a comment to him that it was important I make his lunch and justified taking care of myself because it would help to take care of him. He then asked me, “Why don’t you do it for you”? For some reason, the question hit me differently this time and I decided to exercise for me. To eat for me. To take care of me, for me.

Why is it important to put your health as a priority?

There is an old saying “you cannot pour from an empty cup”. In short, you cannot take care of others if you have not been cared for or nourished yourself. You need to put your health as a priority to prevent burn out, but also to help you to better serve others.

Often, the excuse I hear is “I do not have time to take care of myself”. If you do not take the time for yourself now, it is possible that this time will be robbed from you in the future via doctor’s appointments, treatments, etc. due to poor health. By taking care of yourself now it does not necessarily prevent all illness, but it can help lessen the likelihood of becoming sick.  The other question I want you to ask yourself is, if you do not take care of yourself, who will? You are in charge of your health and no one can exercise for you or necessarily eat the right things for you. With this being said, some individuals need guidance as to how to best incorporate healthy changes into their lifestyle, and as such, it is important to seek help, but again at the end of the day, you are the only one that can follow through with the recommendations. (If you are needing help in this area please contact me).

What happens when you start to put your health first?

When you start to put your own health as a priority, you will start feeling better! It does not sound like this is an award-winning answer, but it is the right one. It may not be right away, but it will happen. When you start valuing yourself enough to eat, to eat well, to exercise, and to nourish yourself; your life will begin to change for the better. You will have the energy you need to help your family, to deal with your work load, and to take care of yourself. You may even begin to notice that you can handle stress better, thoughts are clearer, and your mood is more balanced. For others, you may expect to see better health outcomes that pertain to your particular case. Overall, you may even feel more motivated to achieve your goals.

Are you ready to make your health a priority?

If you are ready to take the plunge and take your health into your own hands, seek help. Contact myself or another health care professional today. Not tomorrow. Today. Find them on facebook or the internet and message them. Find their phone number and call. Results lie beyond the fence of excuses.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Anxiety: Defined, Signs and Symptoms, and Who can Help

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I must caution you before you read this article that this is not meant to replace the advise of a health care provider and should not be used as such. If you have any of the following symptoms or concerns seek help.

Anxiety Defined

Anxiety can be very crippling for many individuals. It can lead to many doctors visits and much time off from school or work. Anxiety can cause one to be avoidant and often lead to other mental health disorders such as depression.

Before one can really appreciate how anxiety can impact an individual, one needs to understand how it is clinically defined. Anxiety is clinically defined as excessive worry (that is difficult to control) occurring more days than not, regarding several events or activities. The anxiety is deemed clinically relevant when it impedes your activity of daily living in any way shape or form, thus causing distress, and cannot be explained by other diagnosis’ or diseases. In other words, it is your health care team’s job to investigate your symptoms and determine if they can be explained by any other means i.e. heart racing due to arrhythmia.

Below I have provided some surprising yet possible signs and symptoms of anxiety. Look out for them, and if you feel that this may be you seek help (also provided below).

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety:

  • Avoidance behaviors
    • Avoidance of activities may be subtle
    • Limited interpersonal relationships
    • Procrastination
    • Non-assertive in new situations
  • Emotional
    • Nervousness
    • Irritability
    • Dread
    • Insomnia
    • Exaggerated startle response
    • Easily distracted and Unable to concentrate
    • Scanning or vigilance
  • Musculoskeletal
    • Muscle twitching
    • Restlessness
    • Shakiness
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle aches or tension
    • Numbness
  • Cardiopulmonary symptoms
    • Racing Heart
    • Shortness of breath
    • Difficulty breathing especially with exertion
    • Chest pain
    • Sweating palms
    • Cold palms
    • Excessive sweating
  • Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary symptoms
    • Choking sensation
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Heartburn or GERD
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Abdominal pain
    • Anorexia
    • Diarrhea
    • Constipation
    • Frequent urination
  • Neurologic symptoms
    • Dizziness
    • Light headedness or faintness
    • Headaches
    • Tremors

Seek Help

Many different resources are available within a community to help those struggling with anxiety. I have chosen to focus on my community in general, but many of these can be transferred between counties. Many of the organizations below may seem irrelevant, but it can be relevant depending on the cause of your anxiety.

  • Any health care provider on your “personal team” i.e. your medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, counsellor, psychiatrist etc.
  • Canadian Mental Health Association Woodstock Branch: 519-539-8342 or 1-877-339-8342
  • Oxford Domestic Assault Review Team: 519-421-0383
  • Addictions Services via Woodstock and area community health center: 519-673-3242 ext 222
  • Addictions Services of Thames Valley: 519-673-3242
  • Kid’s Help Phone: 1-800-668-6888
  • Domestic Abuse Services Oxford: 519-539-4811 or 1-800-265-1938
  • Rape Crisis – Domestic Abuse Services Oxford: 519-539-4811 or 1-800-265-1938
  • Al-Anon Woodstock: 1-888-425-2666

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

 

Acupuncture Clinic – March 1, 2017

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acupunctureOn March 1, 2017, I am inviting any patients of mine who are interested in receiving acupuncture for a reduced rate to join me at the clinic for a “Acupuncture Clinic”! The only change is that the acupuncture will be in a group setting. You will not have any body part exposed that you do not feel comfortable with, but we do ask that you wear comfortable clothes that allow access to the shoulders and knees (in the event that the needles are put in these spots).

The acupuncture points that will be chosen for you will be based on either your previous treatment plan, or your Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) diagnosis (based n the tongue and pulse).

If you have not had acupuncture before, are a patient of mine, and are wanting to try acupuncture, this a great opportunity to try it for a reduced price.  The price for the session is $25 (compared to $45), and allows the opportunity to make your health benefits for naturopathic or acupuncture coverage go a bit further this year.

When and Where:

March 1, 2017 from 5pm-7pm

Meyers Chiropractic and Health Specialists

338 Dundas St Suite 101

Woodstock ON

N4S 1B4

How to Prepare: 

Call 519-537-7058 to book your spot

Wear comfortable clothes that allow access to the shoulders and knees

Bring your headphones and music

Please note that this is on a first -come first -serve basis and is only open to patient’s of Dr. Elisha Cook ND. If you are not already a patient of Dr. Elisha Cook ND and would like to take part in this event, there is still time to become a patient. Book your initial appointment before March 1, 2017! For more information please call the clinic at 519-537-7058 or contact me personally.

We reserve the right to deny acupuncture treatment in the event that Dr. Cook determines that based on your medical history, that this treatment is not appropriate for you.

Stress: What it does to the body

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Grunge image of a stressed overworked man studyingI want to start this article by first mentioning that this is not meant to condemn or make individuals feel like there is no hope for their situation if they are stressed. Stress is not a death sentence, and is not a bad thing. However, stress needs to be kept in check and dealt with in moderation. It is my hope that this article would provide you with motivation to keep your stress in check. As always if this is an area you struggle with, please consult myself or another health care provider for help.

Stress is a normal and purposeful reaction in the body. That is right, it has a purpose. The analogy I give to patients is always facing a bear or a tiger. Stress helps to fuel our response – we can either fight the tiger, or run from it – hence, stress can be deemed a “fight or flight” response. With this analogy in mind, stress causes many physiological reactions in the body that fuel it to respond in one of these ways. The body perceives stress as stress regardless of whether your stress is a tiger or a pile of papers, screaming children, or the lack of control over your circumstances. What this means is the body reacts the same to stress whether it is big or small. With that in mind, the sum of several small stressful situations, with a negative appraisal, could be more detrimental than one larger stressful situation.

So the question remains, what does stress actually do in the body:

Respiratory System – breathe harder and faster

  • Problem: for those with asthma, respiratory issues, or lung disease, this can make breathing more difficult. As a result, panic attacks or asthma attacks can ensue.

Cardiovascular System – increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

  • Problem: for those with pre-existing heart problems, this reaction can pose a problem due to a worsening of symptoms. As a result, the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are increased.

Endocrine System – increased stress hormone and blood sugar

  • Problem: with these effects, many do not realize that stress can lead to increased risk of such things as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. This effect can also lead to decreased immune functioning, leading to frequent colds and flus.

Digestive System – increased sensations in the stomach and decreased absorption

  • Problem: these symptoms may not sound extreme, but it can cause many individuals distress. When one is already stress, having increased sensation in the stomach can often lead to discomfort, nausea, pain, and ultimately lead to more stress. In addition, the body is focused on other areas of the body and fueling them for fight or flight, as a result, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive tract, and thus nutrient deficiencies can result. This lack of absorption and blood flow can lead to such symptoms as constipation and/or diarrhea.

Male Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

  • Problem: decreased blood flow to the male reproductive system can cause many problems including erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, decreased sperm production and decreased sperm maturation.

Female Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

  • Problem: decreased blood flow and increased cortisol can lead to a lack of menstruation, irregular cycles, painful periods, Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc.), increased hot flashes, and decreased sexual desire.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic stress and is struggling to cope, do not struggle in silence. Seek help from a health care provider such as myself. To learn more please contact me through the contact portion of my website or by calling the clinic at 519-537-7058.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx