International Chiropractic Pediatric AssociationStress has been linked to the leading causes of death in North America - heart disease and cancer. It is the cause of many other ailments all too common in our society such as inflammation, obesity, depression, anxiety, fatigue and lowered immune function. (See The Top 5 Things You Can Do to Be the Healthiest You’ve Ever Been – Part 1 for more information on the connection between stress and inflammation). This can result in poor relationships at home and at work, a lowered state of health, a shortened life span, and a poor quality of life. The key is to learn to identify and control sources of stress in your life. Easier said than done, right? The following exercise was developed by psychologists Lyle H. Miller and Alma Dell Smith at Boston University Medical Center and is meant to help you along this path.
Score each item from 1 (almost always) to 5 (never) according to how much of the time each statement applies to you:
- I eat at least one hot, balanced meal a day.
- I get seven to eight hours sleep at least four nights a week.
- I give and receive affection regularly.
- I have at least one relative within 80 km. on whom I can rely.
- I exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice a week.
- I smoke less than half a pack of cigarettes a day.
- I take fewer than five alcoholic drinks per week.
- I am the appropriate weight for my height.
- I have an income adequate to meet basic expenses.
- I get strength from my religious beliefs.
- I have one or more friends to confide in about personal matters.
- I have a network of friends and acquaintances.
- I regularly attend club or social activities.
- I am in good health (including eyesight, hearing, teeth).
- I am able to speak openly about my feelings when I am angry or worried.
- I have regular conversations with the people I live with about domestic problems, including chores, money and daily living issues.
- I do something for fun at least once a week.
- I am able to organize my time effectively.
- I drink fewer than three cups of coffee (tea, soda/pop) a day.
- I take quiet time for myself during the day.
Total: To find your score, add up the figures and subtract 20. Any number over 30 indicates a vulnerability to stress. You are seriously vulnerable if your score is between 50 and 75, and extremely vulnerable if it is over 75. Regular chiropractic adjustments help to naturally reduce stress on the nerve system and enable the body to return to a normal, healthy state. The healthiest people on the planet choose chiropractic! Talk to Dr. Stacey about strategies to decrease stress and maximize your life and see the attached article below.
DID YOU KNOW THAT 60-90% OF ALL DOCTOR VISITS ARE FOR STRESS-RELATED ILLNESSES?
Stress is costly in terms of your health, relationships and performance. When you are affected by too much stress your body wears down and you get sick. Highly disorganized people seem to be more susceptible to sickness as they are always under extreme pressure, running from one disaster to another.
What many people fail to realize is they constantly repeat the same mistakes by not addressing the fundamental issues that are the cause of their problems and guess what this is? Their own personal disorganization!
Here is what you can do to dramatically decrease the stress in your business and your life:
GET ORGANIZED
Learn how to manage yourself and your time. This includes how to plan and prioritize. You can do it yourself (good luck, because if you knew what to do, then why aren’t you doing it?) or you can accelerate your results by getting coached attending seminars or reading or listening to material to learn how to improve your effectiveness.
EXERCISE REGULARLY, EXERCISE DAILY
Try swimming, running or walking. Your body needs regular activity. “Use it or lose it”.
EAT HEALTHY
Feed yourself healthy food and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day and you will triple your output.
LEARN TO SAY “NO”
Become more discerning about what activities you are prepared to do or participate in. If you are already overloaded, let people know.
DELEGATE OR OUTSOURCE
Do what you do best and get rid of the rest. This applies to work and home.
AVOID PROCRASTINATION
Stop worrying about what may or may not happen if you make a decision, just take action.
THE FINAL WORD
I bet you probably knew all this, didn’t you? Well my questions is, if you’re continually running from one crisis to another, disgruntled with the results you’re getting in your life then what actions are you going to take to rectify your situation?
Are you like the old man and his dog? There was an old man sitting on his porch in his rocking chair. Next to him was his dog. A stranger walks past and says “Why is your dog whining and howling?” The old man says “he’s sitting on a nail”. The stranger replies “then why doesn’t he get off it?”
The old man responds “He isn’t in enough pain yet”
Don’t wait until this is you!
