Emotions, even more than thoughts, activate and drive the physiological changes in the stress response. Feelings of anxiety, irritation, frustration, impatience, and hopelessness are what people mean when they say they are “stressed out.”
For optimal health and resilience, it is important to regulate emotional reactions because they are what push the imbalance in the nervous system. The heart is a key component of the emotional system and negative emotions sap our energy and rob us of the ability to think clearly. You can either deplete or renew your physical, mental, and emotional energy reserves.
“Fight or Flight” versus “Rest and Digest”
Heart Rate Variable (HRV) is a biomarker of the balance in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is tied to every automatic process in the body and is comprised of two main branches that work together to control the body’s stress and recovery processes.
Under stress, one branch of your nervous system, the “fight or flight” branch, becomes very active. When this happens, HRV goes down and there is an imbalance between the two branches.
In an ideal situation, the stress is only temporary, the “rest, digest, and recover” branch of the nervous system kicks in causing the HRV to go up again, and the nervous system returns to equilibrium. However, a busy, frenetic, and stressful lifestyle can cause the imbalance to persist throwing the system into a chronic state of fight or flight.
Because this shift happens at such a gradual pace, we might not even notice there is a problem. In fact, a chronic state of fight or flight can become so familiar that any other way of being can just feel wrong and unfamiliar.
Since the insidious effect of long-term stress may be the single most harmful assault against our body’s health, getting an objective measure of it is important.
Telemedicine appointments at The Kaplan Center have helped Dr. Lisa and many of our other providers stay connected with patients while delivering the same quality of healthcare.
Yoga is a wonderful tool to alleviate stress, which in turn can improve both your mental and physical health. Taking just a few minutes each day to gently move and stretch your body can make a big difference. Here are some gentle yoga poses to try at home, demonstrated by Laura Dorsett, MTS, RYT500.
Seated Pigeon Pose
This gentle stretch opens up the hips, glutes, and lower back.
Eagle Arms Posture
Eagle Arms helps to release tension in the head, neck and shoulders.
Runners Lunge/Yogic Lunge
Yogic Lunge opens up the hips and releases the lower back.
Seated Spinal Twist
Seated Spinal Twist gently loosens strained muscles in the back to revitalize the spine and posture.
HRV Biofeedback for Managing Stress
/in Treatments/by Jodi Brayton, LCSWEmotions, even more than thoughts, activate and drive the physiological changes in the stress response. Feelings of anxiety, irritation, frustration, impatience, and hopelessness are what people mean when they say they are “stressed out.”
For optimal health and resilience, it is important to regulate emotional reactions because they are what push the imbalance in the nervous system. The heart is a key component of the emotional system and negative emotions sap our energy and rob us of the ability to think clearly. You can either deplete or renew your physical, mental, and emotional energy reserves.
“Fight or Flight” versus “Rest and Digest”
Heart Rate Variable (HRV) is a biomarker of the balance in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is tied to every automatic process in the body and is comprised of two main branches that work together to control the body’s stress and recovery processes.
Under stress, one branch of your nervous system, the “fight or flight” branch, becomes very active. When this happens, HRV goes down and there is an imbalance between the two branches.
In an ideal situation, the stress is only temporary, the “rest, digest, and recover” branch of the nervous system kicks in causing the HRV to go up again, and the nervous system returns to equilibrium. However, a busy, frenetic, and stressful lifestyle can cause the imbalance to persist throwing the system into a chronic state of fight or flight.
Because this shift happens at such a gradual pace, we might not even notice there is a problem. In fact, a chronic state of fight or flight can become so familiar that any other way of being can just feel wrong and unfamiliar.
Since the insidious effect of long-term stress may be the single most harmful assault against our body’s health, getting an objective measure of it is important.
Click here to learn more about Heart Rate Variability assessments.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
Telemedicine: Stay Connected with Your Providers During COVID-19
/in COVID-19, Wellness/by Lisa Lilienfield, MDTelemedicine appointments at The Kaplan Center have helped Dr. Lisa and many of our other providers stay connected with patients while delivering the same quality of healthcare.
> Read more about Telemedicine services at The Kaplan Center
> Read more about Dr. Lisa Lilienfield
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-5805
SPECIAL REPORT
Understanding Post-Covid Syndrome
Gentle Yoga Poses for Back, Neck and Hips
/in Wellness/by Kaplan CenterYoga is a wonderful tool to alleviate stress, which in turn can improve both your mental and physical health. Taking just a few minutes each day to gently move and stretch your body can make a big difference. Here are some gentle yoga poses to try at home, demonstrated by Laura Dorsett, MTS, RYT500.
Seated Pigeon Pose
This gentle stretch opens up the hips, glutes, and lower back.
Eagle Arms Posture
Eagle Arms helps to release tension in the head, neck and shoulders.
Runners Lunge/Yogic Lunge
Yogic Lunge opens up the hips and releases the lower back.
Seated Spinal Twist
Seated Spinal Twist gently loosens strained muscles in the back to revitalize the spine and posture.