STRESS AND THE BODY: THOUGHTS FROM A LIVING TEST SUBJECT

Stress does interesting things to the body. For the last year, I have experienced everything from tension headaches, backaches, hair loss, upset stomach, insomnia, weight gain, weight loss, weight gain, illness after illness and sometimes, a tightness in my chest. I’ve been sick so much from my stressed out immune system, well, the days that I actually do have energy and feel good I cherish, because I know it will be days or weeks before I can celebrate that feeling again.

This week, I even sought out one of those blood pressure machines at the drug store to make sure the blood I could hear rushing though my veins wasn’t too high. Turns out, my blood pressure is extremely normal. Textbook normal. Under the circumstances, I think this is a miracle. I took a stress test on the internet (http://www.teachhealth.com/#stressscale), however, and scored over 300. Which means: 300 and over: High susceptibility to stress-related illness. No duh.

Well, with that news in mind, I am going to take a walk now… I am told that helps to reduce stress…