The definition of stress is neutral. "Stress" is the set of responses of the human body in the presence of an external stimulus (" Stressor ") from the surrounding environment. There are other ways of dealing with stress: naturopathy can illustrate them.

Reaction to stress

Evolution has led animals to always know how to react in front of an obstacle, an enemy, a predator. The possibilities are always only two: fight or flight . Every event for us a source of stress - an unwelcome phone call, an offensive phrase or a grief, a pain - still causes the urge to run away or react. However, our mind can also develop alternative solutions .

Problems arise in extreme situations: when we are under severe stress for a long period, or when we experience any discomfort, even small, as a source of great stress . The human body reacts to stress with a rapid and immediate hormonal response : cortisol production increases, heart rate increases, digestive processes slow down and everything is ready for reaction. But if this situation lasts a long time, the immune defenses diminish, the general inflammatory state of our body increases. At this stage several ailments and illnesses may appear: for example, frequent colds, allergies, digestive and intestinal difficulties.

Naturopathy for stress

Naturopathy intervenes on the causes of illness and not on their symptoms. Therefore, even in the case of stress, the naturopath will help to identify the causes of stress or a wrong attitude towards the external environment.

Find out what is the event that makes us react putting ourselves "alert" or understand if we are too sensitive to external influences, true or alleged: this will be the first point of intervention of naturopathy.

Naturopathy for physical stress

Once the true cause of stress is identified, stress naturopathy recommends techniques to manage it or vent it physically. Often an intense sporting activity helps a lot to release the accumulated muscular tensions. Specific bioenergetic exercises help to release pent-up anger, the instinctive desire to escape or to attack that can occur in situations of high stress. Very often the recommended physical activity is the one that best suits the person and his situation: for some it may be a simple walk in nature, for another hour of wild dancing, for others still a yoga session.

Those who like to be comfortable massaging will benefit from anti-stress massages, able to dissolve muscle tension.

Naturopathy for emotional stress

Living in a situation of perpetual stress can also harm our emotions, our mind: we are tired, sad, melancholy, without interests, or on the contrary we are always anxious, tense and nervous. Naturopathy has many techniques and natural remedies available that are also useful for our "thinner" and less physical element.

Meditation and imaginative relaxation techniques, as well as appropriate music, can act sweetly on tensions. Often it is enough to have the courage to find a quarter of an hour a day to dedicate to yourself.

Naturopathy also recommends herbal remedies to relax: lemon balm, valerian and hawthorn are powerful allies ..

Bach flowers, however, are the "jewel in the crown" of naturopathy for the management of emotions: they act by releasing the emotional energy from the blocks that imprison it.

A few short tips:

- For exhaustion situations after stress , Olives, Oak are recommended for those who "hold up all the labors of the world".

- To cope with the stress of a sudden event, naturopathy recommends Rescue Remedy, or if the severe discomfort has a distant and profound origin, Star of Bethlem .

- For those who face every situation in a fighting way, even when it's not needed, Vervain .