Whats Happening at Bucek Chiropractic - January 2018

January 2018 

Whether it be deadlines, kids’ extracurricular activities, family-life, or whatever, stress is a regular part of life. Everyone has stress; even my three month old twin boys! Sure, it’s a little different that the stress that we encounter, but stress is stress. Your body doesn’t know any different from stress at work or stress with your kids’ schedule. Your body reacts to stress the same way. It’s how you manage stress that’s the key!

If you body’s “flight or fight” mechanism is held in-check, it will lead to problems with heart disease, obesity, depression, sexual dysfunction, even cancer down the road. So, what can you do?? This month’s newsletter is all about Stress, what to look for, and how to reduce your stress to get on the right path!

What are the emotional symptoms of stress?

•  Being easily aggravated, moody
•  Feeling overwhelmed
• Having trouble relaxing or letting go
• Low self-esteem, feeling bad about yourself
• Avoiding others

Physical Symptoms of Stress:

•  Headaches (We can help with these!!!!)
•  Low energy
•  Upset stomach (diarrhea, constipation, etc.)
•  Tense muscles, aches, and pain
•   Insomnia
•  Constantly getting colds and flus
•  Loss of sexual desire
•   Nervousness, clenching jaw, TMJ pain

What can I do to help reduce my stress?

1. Compartmentalize—Recognize that you wear multiple hats (parent, job, spouse, etc.) and don’t wear more than one at once time. In other words, try and leave your work at work. When you come home, you can focus on being at home. This takes some practice and will take some time to master.
2. Massage Therapy—The pressure from the therapists hands help to reduce muscle tension and that helps reduce the muscle aches and pains typically associated with being stressed.
3. Exercise—Increasing your activity has not only been shown to decreased depression, but it has been shown to decrease stress. Exercise increases blood flow, increases muscle strength, helps with hormonal balance which can aid in better sleep, and often times, after exercising, you feel better and more energized.
4.  Learn to say “no”!—Sometimes, you just have to focus on yourself and sometimes it’s best not to take too much on.
5. Get adjusted—It’s been shown to increase endorphins (the hormone that induces feelings of euphoria) and when your body is in better balance, there’s less stress and strain on your joints.

 Try This!  Self-Guided Meditation

1.  Find a quiet place for 10 minutes each day. After all, it would be better than 70 minutes once per week.
2.  Start in a comfortable chair and close your eyes.
3.  Focus on your breathing. Breath in, breath out.
4.  Don’t be upset with yourself if your mind wanders, focus on your breathing.
5.  Scan” your body starting with your head and mentally “relax” the muscles in that area. Move down to the neck, shoulders, rib cage, etc., all the way down to the feet.
6.  As you get better, you can try to meditate while lying down; just try not to fall asleep!

Call our office at (331) - 248 - 5777 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bucek or one of our two massage therapist to help reduce your stress today!