If you live in the DC area, we know how stressful life has been!
One of the major problems with being stressed is that it disrupts our sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, we feel tired and less capable, making it harder to perform well at work, spend time with our family, or just enjoy our day. When we’re tired, we become more stressed. When we’re stressed, we become more tired. This is the downward spiral.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
⦁ Understanding the “Stress Response:” Common Signs & Symptoms of Stress Overload and Sleep Deprivation
⦁ How Chiropractic Adjustments Decrease Stress and Improve Sleep
⦁ 4 Simple Ways to Lower Stress and Sleep Better
If you feel like stress has been weighing you down, seeking professional help is the first step. Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists who can do a thorough exam of your body and design a customized plan to get you feeling relaxed and energetic!
Understanding the “Stress Response:” Common Signs & Symptoms of Stress Overload and Sleep Deprivation
What is the “Stress Response”?
The “Stress Response” is something that affects all living beings: it’s our body’s internal reaction to an external stressor. Some people refer to this as the “fight or flight” response. [1] The “Stress Response” is a powerful survival tool our bodies use to keep us safe from danger. [2]
So stress is healthy in small doses, and we can return to being calm and relaxed again. The major problem is, when multiple parts of our life create chronic daily stress and we don’t return to a calm state, this continuous stress often leads to physical and mental health problems. [3]
How do you know what being overstressed and sleep deprivation look and feel like?
There are multiple different types of stress overload, each with their own signs and symptoms. [4] These include:
- Physical Stress: Physical health problems (such as headaches, body pains, shortness of breath/pulmonary problems, chest pain/heart problems, upset stomach, poor sleep, etc.) cause regular and chronic stress
- Emotional Stress: Your emotional state (such as feeling anxious, angry, sad, overly emotional, etc.) causes you to feel chronically stressed
- Behavioral Stress: Actions and behaviors (such as changes in eating habits or weight, drug use, work-related activities, negative social interactions, changes to physical location, etc.) that don’t align with your goals cause chronic stress
- Cognitive Stress: A decrease in mental performance or function (such as forgetting important details, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation or inspiration, negative self-image, etc.) can cause chronic stress
Some of these are very similar to the signs and symptoms of poor sleep, [5] including:
- Changes in your physical health (such as headaches, dizziness, decreased immune system, decreased heart and lung capacity, etc.)
- Changes in your emotional state (such as more irritable, less motivated, more anxious, etc.)
- Changes in your actions and behaviors (such as poor balance and coordination, increased appetite, more likely to take energy-boosting drugs, more negative social interactions, etc.)
- Changes in your thinking and cognitive state (such as forgetting things more easily, feeling more tired and aloof, difficulty concentrating, etc.)
Identifying which type(s) of stress you’re experiencing can help you determine the most effective treatments and guide you toward the medical professionals best equipped to support you.
At Kaizo Health, we do a full examination of your body and lifestyle to determine exactly what’s causing your stress. We can then determine which healthcare providers will be best suited for your needs, and if we can help you conquer chronic stress! Schedule an appointment here.
When is the right time to get help from a medical professional?
Stress and poor sleep worsen over time if untreated. [6] The sooner that you can identify if you have chronic stress or poor sleep, and the faster you start personalized and effective treatment, the better.
How Chiropractic Adjustments Decrease Stress and Improve Sleep
Many people believe that chiropractic adjustments only improve Physical Stress and reduce pain, but it works on multiple different types of stress! There are multiple scientific studies that show that chiropractic adjustments decrease stress and improve sleep long-term.
One study took patients who had stress and pain and gave them chiropractic adjustments over the course of 1 month. They measured their progress with brain-scans (EEG and SEPs), electronic health assessments (FitBit), and questionnaires (PROMIS-29). After 4 weeks, those who received chiropractic adjustments compared to those who didn’t reduced their stress and anxiety, improved their sleep metrics, reported feeling healthier and more energetic/less fatigued, and reduced their pain. [7]
Another study took people with depression (major depressive disorder) and gave them chiropractic adjustments, along with vagal nerve stimulation therapy. Those who received chiropractic adjustments significantly decreased their symptoms of depression and stress, and increased their overall health and wellbeing. [8]
One other study of 750 active military personnel found that regular chiropractic adjustments decreased the number of sleep disturbances, as well as decreased the amount of fatigue. [9]
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to release feel-good endorphins in the brain (improving Cognitive and Emotional Stress), improve functionality of movements and degree of motions in limbs (improving Behavioral Stress) and decrease pain (improving Physical Stress).
4 Simple Ways to Decrease Stress and Improve Sleep Receive Regular Chiropractic Adjustments
As stated above, regular chiropractic adjustments are effective at decreasing all different forms of stress and improving sleep.
You can click here to speak with one of our team members to see if chiropractic adjustments will be effective for you!
Rehabilitative Exercises and Stretches
Recently, the research has shown that exercise and stretching reduces stress [10] and improves sleep. [11]
We design specific rehabilitation programs for our patients to give them exercises and tools they need to heal quickly.
If you’re looking to take your fitness and health to the next level, you can sign up for a discovery with our personal training team, Kaizo X!
Lifestyle Changes & Support
Improving nutrition, mental health techniques (including meditation and stress reducing habits), and changing unhealthy habits/behaviors are integral parts of reducing stress.
Our team in Rockville, MD specializes in not just providing pain-reduction, but also focuses on improving our patient’s overall health and wellbeing. Schedule an appointment with our team to see if your lifestyle factors are causing your stress and poor sleep!
Consistent Sleep Schedule and Sleeping Habits
One major way that we help patients is by holding them accountable to sticking to their sleeping habits, including falling asleep and waking up at consistent times, turning off the lights and phones before bed, not eating and drinking before bed, and more!
If you want to learn more about how we can help you, schedule an appointment today!