What Stress Does to the Body

Stress is a natural part of life but when it becomes chronic, our mental and physical health can suffer.

Studies have shown stress can:

• decrease energy levels
• interfere with sleep
• trigger digestive issues
• elevate blood pressure
• aggravate respiratory problems
• slow healing
• dysregulate metabolism
• make it harder to concentrate
• create feelings of irritability or emotional disconnect

Sounds fun, right? Hardly. Stress can have far reaching impacts on your daily life and wellbeing, making you more susceptible to illness, anxiety and depression.

What is Stress?

Stress is the body's natural response (fight or flight) to prep for action. In small doses, acute stress can help motivate and keep us safe. Our body releases hormones including adrenalin and cortisol which can boost mental clarity, tighten muscles and increase heart rate.

Chronic stress is stress that lasts weeks or more, indicating a chronic state or condition. Cortisol and stress hormones disrupt processes throughout the body. Rising cortisol levels can cause inflammation and increase pain levels.

Managing Chronic Stress

1. Get Moving

Physical activity can promote stress relief, reduce anxiety and positively affect mood. If your muscles are feeling tense and achy, our CBD Relief Rub can provide targeted pain relief right where you need it.

2. Relaxation or Meditation Practice

Taking moments throughout the day to practice mindfulness can help interrupt the stress response. Yoga and breathing exercises can also help both your mind and body to relax. Release tension and stress in the body with restorative yoga or self massage.

Follow our 10 Minute Self Massage Ritual here.

Have more time? Settle in and follow along with this 20 minute guided full body massage while using Mad Ritual relief rub.

3. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is restorative but many of us aren't getting enough shuteye. CBD and the aromatherapy blends Mad Ritual has created for relaxation can help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer. Learn more about using CBD to improve sleep here. 

Check out these 5 Night Time Rituals for Rest as well.

Change is hard, particularly when stress has you feeling rundown and overwhelmed. Focus on small improvements and don't be too hard on yourself.