I'll admit it--I'm chronically stressed. My mind obsesses over things it shouldn't (mostly health-related issues), and I find myself struggling most days to cope and combat. My wife is oftentimes my therapist, and these sessions can take their toll on her. Stress is a huge hindrance to Paleo success, and as I've said before, I can't expect the best results from the Paleo diet without dealing with my stress. Easier said than done.
Without delving into the science behind stress and hormones, it's safe to say that stress is bad. Our bodies weren't made to handle chronic stress. No, we were made for infrequent, short bouts of acute stress (say, when hunting or being hunted by an animal). Chronic stress can absolutely destroy the body. You are far more prone to chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, and acute and chronic illnesses. Yet, most of us remain chronically stressed.
So what do we do? A simple Internet search yields tens--if not hundreds--of things to do to reduce stress. Exercises include everything from yoga or tai chi to breathing exercises to writing. There is no magic solution for everyone--you MUST try things, even if you don't want to.
What about medicines? Sure, a lot of medicines exist to help with stress, but as my wife says, you're not treating the CAUSE of the stress; you're merely treating the emerging symptoms. Fix the behavior, and you'll fix the stress, along with all of the fun health issues it can cause.
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