Mental and physical stress feed off of each other

The cycle is clear to see: mental stress causes your body to tense –> tense muscles pull your spine out of alignment and tend to spasm –> physical pain then adds an additional burden to your mental stress. Along the way, any number of other factors could be out of whack: from poor or stagnant circulation to pain-inducing posture. The end result is a less-happy, less-productive You, and a You who is in for a host of problems down the line if you don’t take steps to manage your stress.

De-stressing in real time: steps you can take at the office or in the home

If you have little choice but to live a hectic lifestyle, you need to be proactive about managing your stress. There are several things you can do starting right now, that require no money and only a little of your time. Those things include:

• Closing your eyes: mindfulness goes a long way toward combatting stress. Simply close your eyes, reset your posture and focus on nothing for as long as you can afford. While you’re at it, don’t forget to…
• Breathe deeply: taking deep, diaphragmatic breaths increases oxygenation of cells in all your vital organs, including the brain which uses up to 3 times as much oxygen as your muscles. 
• Reducing muscle tension: whether it means getting up to stretch, getting out for a brisk walk, or using a tennis ball to relieve trigger points, do what you need to do to reduce pain. Heating packs are great for relieving muscle tension and improving local circulation.

It’s amazing the way that even 30 seconds of deep breathing with your eyes closed can refresh your perspective. Chances are you will be right back in the thick of it 5 minutes later, but the power of a quick reset is not to be underestimated.

How we help relax your body and mind at Espinosa Family Chiropractic

At our office in Sacramento, we focus on using gentle, natural modalities to stimulate your body’s ability to feel well. Adjustment, decompression and trigger point therapy help to relieve pressure on your spinal joints and the surrounding soft tissues. The result is less pain that feeds into your stress cycle. If you are interested in using chiropractic to remove yourself from such a cycle, give our office in Sacramento a call to schedule an appointment today.