When you hear the word stress, what comes to mind?
Perhaps your first thought is the emotional stressor. This looks like the 100 items to-do list you have yet to start on, the argument you had with a spouse that hasn’t been resolved, the commute to work that takes longer than it should, or the health issues you’re experiencing and not getting any answers for. Not to mention the craziness of the world right now.
Did you know that stress accounts for approximately 75% of all doctor’s visits?
That means that stress and the inability to manage it is at the root cause of 75% of doctor visits. I was shocked by that number when I first read this statistic, but then I got to thinkin…
When I’m talking about stress in this email, I’m referring to chronic stress, not acute stress. Chronic stress is associated with low-grade inflammation in the body and an example of that would be anxiously worrying day in and day out for a long time; whereas acute stress is finding out that you have a spider on you and freaking out until you are able to squish it.
Chronic stress is associated with inflammation, low stomach acid levels, anxiety, depression, headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, and more.
If you take a look at all those symptoms, it’s easier to see why 75% of all doctors visits are stress-related.
I wanted to remind you that we have a superpower to combat stress and manage stress. That superpower is our breath.
One of the best ways to calm our bodies down and to get back into a “rest and digest” mode, is through conscious breathing. This exercise does not have to take you all day. It can be a 2-5 minute practice, especially if you are new to the world of breath, meditation, and yoga.
I enjoy and recommend SOMA breathwork. Being someone who has a hard time sitting still or turning off my brain, I have found this fun and beneficial. I feel much more grounded and calm afterward. You can also find free meditations and sessions on their YouTube channel. Remember, you don’t have to do the full 30 minutes. You can start slow and work your way up. I hope you may find yourself enjoying this as much as I have.
Don’t allow yourself to be included in that 75%. Take steps, as little as needed, to begin building upon the health you desire.
You have everything you need within you to live and be the healthiest version of yourself.
Always in your corner,
Jess
Jess Williams - The Gut Gurl 