It is too common in our society to feel bogged down by the stressfulness of day-to-day life. Traffic, work projects, business meetings, planning birthday parties, and so much more on our plates can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Sometimes we get to a point where we don’t know what to do or we don’t know what could possibly help us to not get caught up in the whirlwind of it all.
When you are stressed, your body automatically stimulates your fight or flight system, also known as your sympathetic nervous system. When this system is triggered, your heart starts pounding, blood flow is restricted, and digestion stops. In ancient times, this was helpful to protect you from lions and tigers, but today, it can cause you to become paralyzed, anxious, or easily irritated when faced with a heavy load at work or home.
The opposite of the sympathetic nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system which is in charge of resting and digesting. The parasympathetic nervous system allows for the homeostatic mechanisms in your body to promote physical and emotional well-being such as sleeping well, increased blood flow, and a relaxed heart rate.
Acupuncture helps greatly with stress because it triggers the parasympathetic system of your body to relax and restore itself. Acupuncture allows for the blood flow in your body to increase which allows the nutrients carried in your blood to spread throughout your body so that it can heal itself.
The blood in your body carries oxygen, hormones, nutrients, painkillers, and anti-inflammatories which promotes your body’s overall wellbeing. Throughout our lives, blood flow decreases due to aging, stress, trauma, injuries, and diseases which can affect how our bodies heal themselves. If you want to live an optimal life, regulating your blood flow is key to living a healthy life with less stress and more relaxation.
If you are suffering from constant stress, we can help! Call us today at (858)673-4400 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers to help alleviate your pain.
