A NOTE FROM SHAWNA: When I find a good article I would like to share with you, I will (if the rights of the source allow it), reprint it here for you to enjoy. This does not necessarily indicate a relationship with the source and is not paid content. This post was written by acupuncturist Sai Jurawanichkul, originally posted on Medium, and is reposted here with her permission.
Is stress good or bad? How does it affect our minds and bodies? How can acupuncture and lifestyle / nutritional modifications help?
Good Stress
When we are exposed to an acute, distressful situation, our sympathetic system amps up — what is famously called “fight or flight.” Our adrenal glands release corticosteroids that make our blood vessels constrict and our heart rate increase. Cortisol also increases our blood glucose level. Glucose is the main source of energy that powers our overactive cells during stressful events. This is called “good stress” because it empowers us to handle an acute situation.
Bad Stress
But, more often than not, our stress lasts longer than a few minutes or a few hours. It extends to days, weeks, months, and even years. This has very detrimental physical and emotional effects.
Our modern lifestyle
The modern lifestyle can be very harmful to our emotional and physical health. Our culture praises working and hustling, while ignoring the importance of introversion, resting and relaxation. Clearly, this way of living is not working. Research shows that stress can cause many problems (Figure 1: An interactive infographic to learn more about the symptoms of stress on your body).
Studies show that less stress = success
In fact, research shows that people who are happier and less stressed are also more successful. A long-term study was conducted on high school students [and] found that those who experienced less stress were more likely to achieve their career goals.
Balancing Stress in Life
Figure 2: Tai Ji symbol
Yang (white) represents movement, action, stress. Yin (black) represents relaxation, mindfulness, calm.
(Credit: Pixabay).
We cannot live entirely with or without stress, and we cannot live entirely with or without relaxation either, so we must balance the two.
The yin yang / tai ji symbol (Figure 2) illustrates the idea of balance between the yin and yang energies.
How can acupuncture help?
So how can acupuncture help with stress? A study showed that rats receiving acupuncture had lower cortisol levels and less anxiety, depression, and hopelessness through behavioral tests, compared to those who didn’t receive acupuncture. Acupuncture blunts activity in the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, which is in charge of the stress response.
Other studies also show that acupuncture can help treat anxiety and depression in human subjects.
A word of advice
Keep in mind that acupuncture is a spoke in the wheel of the East Asian medical system. This means that when you work with a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac), he or she may also prescribe herbs / supplements, and offer lifestyle and nutritional counseling.
A good acupuncturist will treat you, not your symptoms. So not only will your stress improve, but all aspects of your life such as sleep, digestion, pain, and energy.
About the Author
Sai Jurawanichkul is a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac) in California and New York, and is currently practicing at the Many Lives Chinese Medicine clinic in Redwood City, California. She helps her patients live a fulfilling life by overcoming obstacles (whether that be pain, physical or emotional disorders) by introducing effective, individualized treatment plans. Learn more about Sai here.
References
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201208/happy-people-succeed
https://academic.oup.com/endo/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/EN.2015-1018
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-acupuncture-treat-depression/
ABOUT SHAWNA
Shawna Seth, L.Ac. is a California state licensed and nationally certified acupuncturist currently pursuing physician assistant training. To better understand acupuncture and how you can use it in your daily life, and to explore the connections between Western and Eastern medicine, follow her blog A Cuppa Qi. She also invites connection via email contact@shawnaseth.com or Instagram @acuppaqi.