Yoga, deep breathing, and letting go can be a big help.
Is there anyone who doesn’t feel stressed out these days? Political unrest and environmental pollution are all over the news. Even if you turn off the TV or talk radio, you’re still bombarded from the Internet or your smartphone.
A recent review of research into the effects of acute and chronic stress clearly—and consistently—identifies the damage it does to the immune system and cardiovascular health.
First, stress impacts endothelial (the inner lining of the blood vessels) function and the way the body responds to pathogens and toxins. One study at VA San Diego Healthcare System shows that psychological stress deactivates skin activity that normally offers resistance to bacterial infections—including super bugs like MRSA!
Next, stress damages natural killer cells and other immune defenses, leading to adverse health effects including the development of coronary artery disease. Finally, psychological stress increases production of substances that cause heart attack and stroke.
While most people recognize that 24/7 stress isn’t healthy, it’s often hard to find relief. There’s even a new phone app to help map your mood—complete with a little cognitive therapy to help you cope.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
Oh, my! There are so many better—and safer—ways to chill out and relax than using your cell phone, which may be exposing you to an even more insidious kind of stress from electropollution!
Research at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine at Ohio State University College of Medicine finds that yoga minimizes the body’s inflammatory response to stress, limiting dangerous stress-related physical changes. And a study in the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine shows that yoga is as effective as other forms of exercise in improving overall health.
That’s one reason Fat Flush for Life includes Yoga Quickies that anyone can easily incorporate into regular routines, even if only for a few minutes each day. Even though all my Fat Flush books feature stress-reducing exercise regimens, working out physically may not be enough.
Detoxify Your Emotions
Recognizing and honoring your feelings is an all-too-often overlooked but critical aspect of spring (and for that matter year-round) cleansing. The mind-body connection has been proven in hundreds of clinical studies.
I believe that the Bach Flower Remedies represent a form of psychotherapy in a bottle, a noninvasive modality to address negative emotional states like anxiety, depression, and impatience. Bach Rescue Remedy is, in fact, used in many emergency rooms around the country to help alleviate trauma.
A Welsh homeopath, Dr. Edward Bach recognized in the 1920s that, if herbs have healing powers, so must flowers. Over many years, he experimented with numerous flowers and trees to create a total of 38 plant-based Bach Flower Remedies.
In my own practice, I recommend a number of these remedies to clients. Centuary is useful for boundary issues, especially for people who give too much of themselves. I suggest Impatiens for irritability and short tempers. Oak is for those determined types who struggle on (despite setbacks) through adversity or illness. Rock water can ease tension for those who tend to be hard on themselves.
Let It Go
Another essential part of detoxifying your emotions is learning how to remain calm and let a greater force take over. By breathing slowly and deeply, you are able to let go, release tension throughout your body, and even lower your heart rate.
While deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can all help you let go of whatever negative feelings and stress you hold within you, I find the following words so helpful that I read them every day:
• To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring; it means I can’t do it for someone else.
• To let go is not to cut myself off; it’s realization that I can’t control another.
• To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
• To let go is not to deny but to accept.
• To let go is to fear less and love more.
For this Mother’s Day, “mother” yourself a little. Acknowledge what you do right and gift yourself with gentle and healing tools that empower your sense of wellbeing and serenity.
Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
How to Stay Young and Healthy in a Toxic World
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8654350.stm
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20439251
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20413096
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20372754
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20401789
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20064902
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20105062
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
what to do with mrsa this is urgent and very painful
Thanks so much for all the great information. I’ve read several of your books and have incorporated the advice into my life and have seed amazing results.
As someone suffering from Adrenal Fatigue, I had to learn to remove as many stressors rom my life as possible in order to progress in my healing. I only carry my cell phone when I’m alone, or traveling in the car, for emergencies. I rarely talk on it. I skim the paper for news and avoid reading about things that are atrocious (which doesn’t leave much of the paper to read!). I have stopped watching the news, crime shows and movies with violence because they too can get your insides revving. I tell friends not to call my home -unless its an emergency- past 8 pm. I spend the last couple of hours before bed, reading or watching amusing things on TV. It’s all about allowing my body to wind down and be ready for bed at 10.
Making these changes wasn’t easy. I used to be a night owl, on the phone or computer until all hours and always on the go, go, go. But when your body finally tells you enough is enough by crashing your adrenals, you do whatever it takes to heal. I will never go back to my old ways. I am more centered now, more at peace and am truly enjoying each day of life for the gift it is.
Hi Susan (post adrenal burnout )
Thank you for your comment as I am in the adrenal burnout state and am trying to do the things to heal them.
Dr. Theresa Dales has a book on hormones out that has an adrenal plan it it Great bk.
My problem is my job; which i am trying to leave, but can’t as i am supporting my daughter until she grad. med. school in oct. 10 !!! can’t wait.
so now to plan my next career and gently bring myself into a calm state by healing my adrenals. thanks again as you inspired me!
I am disappointed to find you advocating yoga. This is an Eastern Religion and can lead to bondage.
The different positions are prayer positions to evil spirits from the Eastern Religon.
I am not an expert on Yoga but I do avoid it since I have heard testimonies from many Christians that were in deep bondage through Yoga, before giving their lives over to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our bodies need to stretch but not worship evil spirits. As Christians the enemy of our soul
does not care if we open our lives to him through ignorance or knowingly.
I really enjoy your health information. I believe you are a Christian and thought you should know this.
God Bless you abundantly,
Karen