There is a direct link between your mental health and your physical well-being, so taking time to nurture just one or the other is not always productive. A truly healthy person isn’t just physically fit, but also in a positive mental space. However, stress is more common than ever. Don’t think stress is a real problem in your life? You may be surprised!
The Impact of Stress in the United States
In 2017, 77% of adults regularly experienced physical symptoms related to stress. 73% experienced psychological symptoms. The total estimated cost for employers due to missed work because of stress-related health issues last year was over $300 billion. Unfortunately, these statistics don’t seem to be getting any better over time.
What Does Stress Feel Like?
The most common symptoms of stress include:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension and pain
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Stomach problems
- Sleep difficulties
- Anxiety
- Lack of focus or motivation
- Irritability
- Anger
- Depression
- Overeating or undereating
- Outbursts
- Withdrawal
Many of the symptoms of stress are also symptoms of Irlen Syndrome, so those who are untreated might experience a snowball effect that dramatically impacts quality of life.
The Link Between Body and Mind
Your mind, especially if you are experiencing stress, depression or anxiety, can have a serious impact on your body:
- Depression increases risk for chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease. One study on diabetes found that depression increased that risk up to 41%.
- Physical symptoms of emotional distress are uncomfortable and negatively impact quality of life. These symptoms can range from insomnia to constipation.
- When you are under stress, your body will respond via ‘fight or flight,’ meaning stress hormones will be released, your heart rate will rise, breathing will accelerate, muscles will tighten and blood flow will increase. Unlike in the wild when predators were lurking, long-term stress can lead to long-term ‘fight or flight’ feelings, which is not a good thing. Experts think that this long-term body reaction could be linked with numerous chronic illnesses.
Stress and Irlen Syndrome
Feelings of anxiety, nausea, irritation and dizziness can all also be symptoms of Irlen syndrome. While sometimes they are misdiagnosed as other conditions, or just undiagnosed, leaving symptoms and causes untreated from childhood into adulthood, they can be related to sensory overload.
Environmental stressors like bright or fluorescent lighting, electronic devices, high-contrast patterns or reading black letters on a white background, activities involving sustained attention or depth-perception, like studying, driving or walking on uneven surfaces can all contribute to stress symptoms and impact quality of life.
Irlen Spectral Filters are customized to calm the brain and promote visual strength without altering color perception and can eliminate how visual stress impacts daily functioning. The results are immediate so there is minimal guesswork with, often profound, results of well-being, improved memory and concentration, academic performance and eased feelings of panic and anxiety.
Your brain performs more efficiently with less effort, and numerous unwanted physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue could disappear without drugs and more extensive, invasive and expensive interventions.
Soothing Stress
It’s important to deal with stress head-on and take steps to soothe it whenever possible. To care for your mental and physical health, you should:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get enough sleep
- Take breaks during the day to go outside or step away from the screen
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
- Try relaxation techniques
- Experiment with time management techniques
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our accessibility consultations and injury prevention services, call us today at (410) 358-7269. To get started at home, complete a pre-assessment for Sensory Processing Disorder, schedule a free phone consultation, and learn more about the Irlen screening process, Irlen diagnostic testing, Irlen re-tint testing, and who we help.
