According to the World Health Organization, wellness is "...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
The foundation of my work to help people release their stress simply and naturally is by creating harmony between the 7 dimensions of wellness:
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Physical
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Social
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Intellectual
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Spiritual
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Environmental
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Emotional
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Occupational
To have a higher level of wellness and whole body mental health, you must understand the role stress plays in disrupting the harmony of these dimensions of wellness and its link to mental health.
1. Stress Affects Mood
Chronic stress causes changes in the brain that disrupts the balance of white matter and gray matter. The balance of the two is what facilitates communication and connectivity within the different regions of the brain. One region in particular, the hippocampus is associated with emotions and memory. This imbalance may contribute to disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. According to the American Psychological Association, 34% of people who state they are stressed, also admit to feelings of depression.
2. Stress Exacerbates Fear
As stated above, chronic stress can disrupt the balance of connectivity within different areas of the brain. One of those areas is our fear center. Therefore, when stressors are encountered, fear and an overwhelming feeling of doom are quicker and more prevalent.
3. Stress vulnerability and mental illness
Some people are predisposed to mental illness based on genetic factors, family history and/or past trauma in childhood or upbringing which is referred to as ACE- adverse childhood experiences. Chronic stress can increase the incidence of mental illness in these populations or worsen the symptoms of people already diagnosed with mental illness.
To help counteract this vulnerability, stress releasing strategies must be employed which offer:
1. Social Support
2. Healthy Coping strategies for everyday stressors
3. Involvement in meaningful activities – give your mind and your life a purpose. Even if you do not suffer with mental illness, we all could benefit from these stress releasing strategies.
For support of dealing with everyday stressors, join us a very special LIVE masterclass, The 7-Step FREELIFE Formula just for high performers and professional women. We will be meeting and sharing this special event Wednesday May 16th 7 PM CST/ 8 PM EST. Register HERE
See you May 16th!
Yours in Health and Harmony,
Dr. Michelle Clay is a speaker, two-time best-selling author & Holistic Physician specializing in the release and management of stress and its associated symptoms simply and naturally. Through her company FREELIFE7, Dr. Michelle enhances lives by harmonizing all dimensions of wellness through wellness coaching programs, workshops and speaking engagements to help stressed out and burned out high achievers, leaders and exhausted executives discover their sense of balance, calm, clarity and confidence to live a FREELIFE on purpose with passion. She is frequently called upon to give a refreshing holistic perspective on ways to release stress, recharge health and shift mindset for wellness success. Schedule your complimentary session with Dr. Michelle to release your stress and create a plan to go from burnout to balance and have the happy and healthy life that is waiting for you.
*Photo by Green Tangerine Photography