What you should know about stress

Stress: (strEHs’) n. 1. An epidemic of plague-like proportions striking all races, genders and ages. 2. A chameleon health condition, also known as adrenal fatigue syndrome, that can result in obesity, insomnia, heart disease, depression, headache, ulcer, chronic fatigue and a myriad of other illnesses. verb trans. 1. To be anxious, nervous, worried, tired or strained for prolonged periods of time without relief. 2. To experience severe mental, emotional and/or physical discomfort.

The difficulty of preventing stress lies in the fact that stress truly is a “chameleon” health problem. Thousands of factors can cause stress, and stress can appear in your body in almost as many ways. With every individual, stress is brought on by a unique factor. For some, it’s the partying college kids next door, or worrying about finances, while for others, stress may be caused by the loss of a loved one, and for others still, too much of a good thing – like exercise.

Stress can be mental, creating frustration, inability to focus, reduced concentration and energy, and weak memory skills. Stress can be emotional, overcoming you with anger, resentment, worry, anxiety or panic. And stress can be physical, whether from improperly nourished muscles and organs or real physical injury. Often, stress is a combination of two or more of these types.

What’s more, stress can have a compounding effect: a mentally stressful situation can develop into physical health troubles, and these health troubles can in turn create more mental stress in your life. What does this mean? Stress is potentially the most pervasive, damaging condition we face. Nearly every major cause of death, including heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and arthritis, is linked to some type of stress.

Stress is rampant in our society, yet it is addressed inadequately. Discussion about stress is so prevalent, it could easily be mistaken as the default topic for slow news days, yet rarely does an article go beyond the basics: stress is bad, it’s everywhere, try some yoga or scented candles. For a health problem of such enormity, helping you to deal effectively with stress certainly deserves more than a prescription for bubble baths.

Stress is synonymous with adrenal fatigue, and many people will experience this glandular dysfunction at some point in their lives. Sure, adrenal fatigue sounds like a pretty complicated thing, but if you’ve experienced any of the following, you’ve likely already gotten to know it well, if only by its more common name, stress. Have you ever…

• Been berated by a boss for something you didn’t have any control over?
• Been accused of incompetence, dishonesty, or failure?
• Been yelled at in the parking lot of the grocery store for taking “someone else’s parking space”?
• Worried about what’s getting discussed in those internet chat rooms your teenager likes to surf?
• Felt nervous about the terrorist alerts or the possibility of another terrorist attack?
• Been “flipped off,” yelled at or cut off by an aggressive driver?
• Been hassled by that telemarketer who’s convinced you really do want to go to Florida for two days so you can attend their special six-hour convention?
• Received an incorrect bill or had your credit dinged as a result of a company’s mistake?
• Been denied a promotion, raise or vacation you worked tirelessly to earn?
• Been threatened with eviction, loss of income, or loss of insurance benefits?
• Broiled in midday traffic just to get to an appointment or the store?
• Been dismissed by a doctor or other professional when you sought help?
• Lost a loved one, gone through a divorce, had an estranged relationship, or felt betrayed?
• Been in a severe accident, such as an automobile wreck?
• Faced serious injury, such as a broken hip or back pain?
• Been laid off or fired?
• Faced bankruptcy, overwhelming credit card debt, or mortgage troubles?
• Had to pay more in taxes than you planned for?
• Been confused by your cell phone, computer or other technology?
• Been confronted by rude, intolerant or malicious individuals, such as inconsiderate neighbors or a nosy mother-in-law?
• Over-exerted yourself physically, perhaps in a competition or at the gym?

These are only a few of the more common causes of stress. Stress can also be brought on by good things, such as a promotion or a move to a new city, simply by virtue of the increased burden of responsibility or unfamiliarity. Though some stress is healthy – say, the pressure of a work deadline, or the accountability required to drive a car or to buy a home – these normal stresses serve to motivate us and keep us productive. Stress becomes unhealthy when we can’t manage it without experiencing mental hindrance, emotional misery or physical discomfort.

The fact is, stress is so common, we have trouble accepting its validity as a true health problem deserving of real prevention and treatment. Many of us even feel a sense of pride because of our stress – it’s a right of passage for the American adult. But stress isn’t to be discounted because of its common presence in our lives; rather, it should be given special attention since it affects people of every stripe and has such a wide range of dangerous health implications.

Question: Stress is:

a) A dangerous health problem linked to almost every major cause of death
b) The number one reason for lost productivity in America
c) The sneaky culprit behind unusual midsection weight gains, migraines, ulcers and colds
d) A threefold threat affecting your body’s health and energy level, your mental performance, and your emotional stability

Answer: All of the above.

Americans face more stress now than ever before, but many people are unaware of just how significant the impact of stress is upon their lives. Stress is literally linked to almost every major cause of death – diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, and more – and stress is responsible for more lost days of work and hours of satisfaction than any other health disorder. Yet few of us consider how dangerous stress really is. Stress is just normal, right?

True, many people are burdened with stress, but no, it’s not normal. Americans are among the unhealthiest of all nations, despite our vast wealth and access to great foods, advanced medicine and helpful technology. With computers and cell phones making life (supposedly) easier, with powerful antidepressants just a doctor’s visit away, and with fresh, healthy foods available at every corner grocery store, why are we so unhealthy? Americans lead the world in obesity, mental disorders, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes – the list goes on and on. How is this possible, with all of our advantages?

Stress is linked to all of these health conditions, and the truth is, we’re woefully unprepared for handling stress. The major reason is that we just don’t understand what “stress” really means. Because our cultural perspective tends to think in terms of parts, rather than the whole (the “forest for the trees,” so to speak) we underestimate the great harm stress does to our bodies and our minds. But we can’t just take an antidepressant, down a protein shake, or slap on an exercise belt to get rid of stress, because stress is more complicated than that.

Stress comes in several interrelated forms, which is why stress is so potentially harmful to your health and wellbeing. Stress can be mental, brought on by a traumatic loss, a tense working environment, or a difficult commitment. Stress can be emotional, commonly caused by an unhappy marriage or a strained relationship. And stress can be physical, too. Whether you’re an athlete exhausted after every race, or a gym rat having trouble reaching the next level, or if you simply find the prospect of a jog around the block impossible, you are feeling the effects of physical stress. These physical stresses can show up as weak muscles, poor quality of sleep, bad circulation and even dental problems!

And here’s where stress does its most damage. Mental or emotional stress doesn’t just stop at leaving us feeling angry, worried or exhausted. Our mental focus becomes blurred; we lose interest in our jobs and hobbies; we have anxiety attacks; we have trouble concentrating; even our memories suffer. And our health suffers, too. As mental and emotional stress continues, the cumulative strain contributes to obesity, insomnia, depression, diabetes, heart disease – and something called adrenal fatigue.

Inside our bodies, we have several mechanisms that fight stress. The muscles and the brain are two big forces for coping with stress. The brain releases serotonin and dopamine to ease stress. (Antidepressants mimic these hormones.) The muscles regulate oxygen and blood flow, exerting themselves whenever necessary to produce energy. The problem occurs when we’re stressed to the point where our brain and muscles can’t properly operate. Unfortunately, this happens quite commonly – to the average person and athlete alike. Click Here to find out if you’re dealing with more stress than is healthy.

When our muscles and brain tire and cannot cope with stress, our adrenal glands – two abdominal glands the size of an almond – kick in to help before it’s too late. After all, stress isn’t just gone once it’s gone – stress’s harms stay with us, changing us permanently. Stress is possibly the most important health condition to understand and eliminate, because stress has such profound and lasting consequences. It works out to this: the more stressed you get, the more stressed you get. In your body, stress is equivalent to a snowball on a mountainside – it just keeps growing. Though some small amount of stress is good, providing motivation and defining our self-worth, most Americans experience staggeringly unhealthy levels of stress, and as their bodies and minds continue to be weakened, the chance for disease and diminished quality of life increases.

That’s why your adrenal glands attempt to fix the problem by starting the cycle of cortisol release in the body. When you experience a stressful event, whether it’s a screaming supervisor or a broken bone, your hypothalamus (stress central in the brain) lets the stress-fighting compounds flow. These compounds are called adrenocorticotropins, or ACTH. They head immediately for the adrenal glands, which then produce cortisol and epinephrine to calm us down and help our body figure out whether it should fight – or run away(fight or flight).

Doesn’t sound bad, right? It’s a good thing that our hypothalamus and adrenals work together to calm us down or help us get out of a tight spot. But if you’re constantly stressing your body and mind, this brain-glandular relationship begins to tire, and your body is suddenly a playground for a host of unintended events. This hormonal production also has influence on our immune system (which is why stress literally makes you sick), your cardiovascular system (and tired) and your behavioral system (which is why you might start chewing your nails to a pulp). Cortisol can also decrease your bones’ ability to absorb calcium and increase your tendency to store fat.

So there you have it: mental stress creates physical stress to your body’s systems. There’s more. ACTH reduces your ability to release endorphins while increasing your production of serotonin, meaning you’re going to feel pain more acutely and be more prone to “losing it” over trivial daily issues.

Fortunately, for as damaging as stress can be, there are several effective ways you can combat it. Diet and exercise play an important role, as do your daily habits and lifestyle. Click Here to learn about great alternative remedies to alleviating stress.

Real stress relief has to come from within. It’s certainly nice to talk about never eating a French fry again, or working exclusively with friendly colleagues, but these things aren’t always a reality (even if we do rename them Freedom fries). Your body needs a powerful way to fight the toxic, compounding effects of stress, and your built-in stress system gets worn out trying to fight back against stress day in, day out. You can help your body reduce stress and the many problems it brings by feeding it the nutrients it needs to bounce back. Until recently, very few companies produced a supplement specifically designed to address this

For that very reason, Malibu Health Laboratories developed Proloftin using some of nature’s most powerful and effective ingredients. This unique, balanced combination of ingredients has proven benefits for stress-related issues including difficulty losing weight, poor sleep, loss of sexual desire, moodiness, PMS, tension, anxiety, worry, weak memory, lack of energy, and poor muscle performance. Click Here to learn about the potent, crucial ingredients Proloftin provides.

Are You Stressed?

If you read that question and found yourself thinking, “Who isn’t?” you’re right. Nearly everyone is burdened by stress at some point in his or her lives. If you’ve tried exercise, made dietary changes, or taken other steps to lessen stress but still find yourself experiencing some or all of the following symptoms, Proloftin may be for you.

Common Symptoms of Stress:

• Increased or decreased appetite
• Cravings for sweet or salty foods
• Cravings for alcohol, tobacco or other drugs
• Irritability, mood swings, anger, or crying uncontrollably
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Feeling impatient, rushed, or hassled
• Difficulty balancing all of your responsibilities
• Experiencing headaches, heartburn, or stomach and digestive upset
• Experiencing fatigue, insomnia, or exhaustion
• Defensiveness, frustration, or self-loathing
• Feeling nervous, anxious, or worried even when there is no apparent cause
• Having difficulty rebounding from workouts or athletic competitions
• Feeling fearful when the phone rings or someone knocks at the door
• Having difficulty focusing, concentrating or remembering things

The most common types of stress are mental or emotional stress, but these frequently cause physical stress. That’s why it’s so important to take your stress seriously. Whether it’s the thoughtless telemarketer or the micro-managing boss, no situation is irrelevant or insignificant. Your health is worth the investment. Don’t lightly brush off events that cause you stress simply because you feel you should “tough it out” or you don’t have it “all that bad.” Stress is a real condition and needs to be treated accordingly.

Everyone has different levels of tolerance for stress, so comparing yourself to others isn’t the proper way to determine if you are burdened by stress. Click Here to check out our list of the most common causes of stress.

Stress Test

Take our quiz to find out if Proloftin’s natural stress-fighting formula might make a difference in your life. Simply answer Yes or No – Yes answers are worth one point. Total your score when you’re finished and Click Here to find out what it means.

1. Do you hurry to finish work and chores, or do you rush your children through their homework and activities?
2. Do you get frustrated with delays or slow people?
3. Does traffic make you angry or tense?
4. Do you speed up at yellow lights or cut around drivers to get to the off-ramp quicker?
5. Do you try to perform several tasks at once, such as cooking and paying bills, or driving and using a cell phone?
6. Are you quick to criticize others, while feeling that you are not recognized enough for your own hard work and generosity?
7. Do you prefer to handle your problems on your own, rather than ask for advice or confide in a friend?
8. Do you accept too many projects or commitments, refusing to say no even when you know you will be spread too thin?
9. Do you feel guilty if you relax, or resent when others have leisure time?
10. Do you often remind others of how hard you work?
11. Lately, have you felt overwhelmed or pressured?
12. Do you have trouble controlling your anxiety, nervousness or worry?
13. Do you obsess about negative conversations or experiences?
14. Do you feel tired upon waking, even after what seemed like a fair night’s sleep?
15. Do you have an unhappy marriage or partnership?
16. Are things like working out or staying up for a movie out of the question because you’re too tired or have too much to do?
17. Do you feel like your house or office is too cluttered even to deal with?
18. Do you lack enough support from colleagues or your boss?
19. Do you have to schedule in time with your children, friends or family, even on the weekends?
20. Do you frequently get less than eight hours of good sleep a night?

Score Meanings

1-2: Little or No Stress
Keep it up. You have little stress in your life, which means you likely experience greater peace of mind and better health than many Americans. Continue with your current lifestyle.

3-6: Slightly Stressed
Though you aren’t suffering from a high amount of stress, you may want to consider addressing your current areas of stress. Stress is cumulative, so if you are a bit tense now, more stress down the road could pose additional harm than if you currently experience no stress. Click Here to learn how to make some moderate change to your diet, up your exercise routine a bit, and test new relaxation techniques. Click Here to supplement your stress management with Proloftin.

6-10: Moderately Stressed
You fall into the second-most common category. Many folks in this category consider their stress burdens “normal” and may not be aware of the great harm to your body’s physical, mental and emotional health. For many people experiencing moderate stress, a combination of reducing obligations, simplifying your schedule, practicing a better diet, and getting exercise can help significantly. It’s difficult to do all these things with the fast-paced lifestyle most of us lead, however. That’s why an all-natural supplement like Proloftin, with proven anti-stress nutrients can truly make the difference in how your body handles stress. Click Here to learn more about Proloftin.

11-16: Highly Stressed
It may be a surprise to you, but you fall into the most common category. Most of us lead such fast-paced, stressful lives, we’re unaware that we’re actually suffering from an unhealthy condition. Stress tends to be downplayed for its role in health and happiness, yet it’s linked to everything from depression and memory troubles to obesity and heart disease. Do you have a spare tire or trouble feeling energized? These are both symptoms of high stress. Immediate lifestyle change is essential. Try Proloftin for 30 day. We guarantee it will make a difference or we’ll refund your full purchase price.

17-19: Dangerously Stressed
At such high levels of stress, you’re at serious risk for heart disease or even a nervous breakdown. But don’t take this as one more thing to worry about. You’re in a terrific position to make drastic changes, because at such a high stress level, any modification to your lifestyle will see dramatic benefits. Click Here to learn about the natural, simple ways you can ease your stress, and Click Here to try our affordable, effective natural supplement, Proloftin. Free from side effects and based upon years of studies and research, Proloftin doesn’t simply numb your stress (the way a beer or procrastination might) – the safe, natural ingredients work with your body’s natural stress-fighting chemistry to reduce stress and promote a calm, relaxed feeling without any drowsiness.

Managing Stress Through Lifestyle Changes

Unlike conditions such as obesity or heart disease that are relatively simple to control with preventive daily habits, stress can be more difficult to manage. This is not only because stress can come from virtually any area of life at any time, but also because stress compounds as we age. What does this mean? If you’re stressed out now or have been at any time in the past, you’re more prone to damage when new stresses come along.

Proloftin has natural ingredients proven to help you control and manage stress. But there are additional things you can do to mitigate the traumatic effects of stress to your body and psyche.

• Lose weight. Obesity and stress are interrelated – they play off of each other. It’s not necessary to get down to a svelte size six, but even losing ten pounds can work wonders for the stress your heart and muscles bear.

• Exercise. Three times a week is just right for getting your heart in top condition, but you’ll also reap the benefits of stronger muscles and increased energy, both of which alleviate stress.

• Sleep. Be honest: many of us assume bragging rights when we miss sleep. But don’t sabotage your beauty rest to feel like you’re working harder or are indispensable to others in your life – the work you do is worthy of its own value whether you sleep or not, and proper sleep will actually help you to function better.

• Life’s little luxuries. Though hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and music can’t cure stress, they can ease some of the symptoms.

• Slow down. Take the side streets instead of the congested freeway, bake dinner instead of picking up a burger and fries, or take a bath instead of a shower. Put off things that aren’t important – save the laundry for the weekend, hire a housekeeper once a month, or cut back on some of your activities.

• Eat right. Eliminate trans fatty acids, found in fried foods and packaged snacks like crackers and cookies. Eat 5 servings of vegetables a day (it’s not as hard as you think!), and drink at least six glasses of water every day, as well. Increase your Omega-3 fatty acid intake with a quality supplement or wild salmon or tuna, and choose whole, brown grains over white, refined, sugary foods.

• Quit smoking. Smoking decreases oxygen flow to your heart and muscles, increasing the stress burden on your body. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, too.

• Avoid negative relationships. This is one of the most important things you can do to reduce stress. Whether it’s an in-law, a friend or a colleague, relationships that leave you feeling depressed about yourself or drained of energy must be changed or ended. Don’t keep a relationship out of guilt or loneliness – you deserve to live free of stress.

• Don’t take on too many responsibilities, whether at work or with volunteer activities. Often we accept tasks or projects we’re only half-hearted about, and the toll this takes on our bodies just isn’t worth it.

• Meditate or seek therapy. Those who can talk about their problems, or spend twenty minutes a day thinking about nothing at all, have much better luck dealing with stress.

• Simplify. This includes clutter around the house (do you really need that Denny’s receipt from last January?), junk in the car, and duplicates of things you already have (two coffeemakers, several remotes that serve the same purpose, several copies of the same magazine issue, etc.). Toss out clothes that don’t fit.

• Take vitamins. Today’s foods are raised so quickly – particularly meats and produce – that supplementation is vital to getting all the nutrients that will keep your important stress-fighting organs, such as your adrenal glands, in top shape. Click Here to learn about the World’s most comprehensive vitamin supplement, Damage Control Master Formula.

Why Use Proloftin?
Stress isn’t totally avoidable. Some stressful aspects of life are not going to go away. Lifestyle changes can help, but there are also supplements we can take to help ourselves better cope. Luckily, nature provides the key ingredients, if you know what to look for. Not all “natural” substances are necessarily safe. For instance, Kava kava or St. John’s Wort have been used recently as stress remedies, but both have been shown to pose issues with safety and are not appropriate for all people. The ingredients in Proloftin’s safe, easy-to-swallow capsules are all tested and proven effective by rigorous scientific studies. Proloftin won’t “cure” stress-based diseases (no supplement can claim that), but with a combination of stress management and Proloftin’s potent blend, you can help your body better reduce the devastating effects of stress.

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