Signs of Chronic Stress

• Headaches, frequent upset stomach, indigestion
• Gas pain, diarrhea, changes in appetite
• Feeling like crying with no known cause
• Muscular tension
• Feeling nervous or sad, irritable or angry
• Feeling tightness in your chest,  feeling like you are unable to catch your breath
• Having relationship and/or problems at work
• Sleep disturbances or sleeping too much
• Mental or physical fatigue
• Frequent illness
• Tooth grinding
• Hives or skin rashes
• Ringing in the ears
• Feeling dizzy or faint
• General apathy, lack of interest or motivation

Workplace Stress

This can have many origins or it may come from one single event. It can have an impact on both employees and employers.  Some situations that can create stress include:

• Work overload
• Shift work
• Physical environment
• Isolation
• Work pace
• Conflicts with others
• Promotions or lack of
• Job security
• Low pay or loss of pay 
• Feeling threatened
• Lack of communication
• Inadequate health insurance benefits

Physical:  headaches, clenched jaw, grinding teeth, chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding heart, high blood pressure, diarrhea or constipation, lack of sex drive, muscle aches, fatigue, insomnia, frequent illness.

Psychosocial:  anxiety, irritability, sadness, defensiveness, anger, mood swings, hypersensitivity, apathy, depression, slowed thinking or racing thoughts, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, or feelings of being trapped.

Behavioral:  overeating, undereating, impatience, quickness to argue, procrastination, increased use of alcohol or drugs, increased smoking, withdrawal or isolation from others, neglect of responsibilities, poor job perfomance, poor personal hygiene, change in religious practices, change in family relationships.

Understanding The Effects of Stress:

When stress occurs an alarm within the brain is set off which sends a message to the body for defensive action.  The nervous system is then aroused and hormones are released to sharpen the senses, quicken the pulse, deepen respiration, and tense muscles.  This response is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.  Not all stress is bad, however, when stressful situations go unresolved the body remains in a state of constant activation which increases the wear and tear of the biological systems and results in fatigue and damage.  If this condition continues it escalates the risk of injury and disease, as often accounts for workplace injuries.

At some point many people experience stress and/or depression.  Stress can be internal or external.  Internal stress comes from psychological issues where you may "worry yourself sick" for example.  External stress can come from your environment or relationships.  Depression may be triggered by major life changes like death, birth, job loss, or divorce. 

Stress has been linked to the six leading causes of death - heart disease, cancer, lung aliments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. A landmark 20-year study conducted by the University of London concluded that unmanaged reactions to stress were a more dangerous risk factor for cancer and heart disease than either cigarette smoking or high cholesterol.

Most often when disturbances occur that cause us to fall out of tune they start in the mind and then later on it shows up in the body.  Every illness has a specific message for us but we must learn to recognize and accept the messages.  Chronic sleep deprivation results in your body storing more fat, slower metabolism and increased appetite.  It is important to get adequate sleep each night.

The primary goal of Reiki is to help restore the body's energy balance and enhance its natural ability to heal itself.   Reiki can be especially effective in calming the body and alleviating stressful symptoms.  A client may begin to feel more whole and balanced from receiving Reiki treatments.  Reiki can be utilized as a preventative measure for stress by helping a client to re-balance and find a center of peace within as it significantly reduces symptoms.

Strengthen You Immune System

Reiki helps to strengthen and sustain the body's immune system by assisting energy within to get to all parts of the body.  When we fall out of tune, our bodies respond by creating a symptom or an illness. When it is in balance the body can better defend itself against the effects of such things as environmental pollution and contagious diseases and the debilitating effects of prolonged stress.

Reiki is always there for you.  I invite you to experience Reiki, a doorway to clarity and wholeness; your invitation to wellness.  Always be compassionate to yourself, show respect to your body by listening to it and avail yourself to appropriate health care providers whenever you feel it might be beneficial.