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Zoë Pogrelis, D.C.

Whether you are a busy parent with a to-do list longer than there are hours in the day, a teenager trying to keep up with school work and extra-curricular activities, or a career warrior dealing with deadlines, you are probably stressed out! Let's face it, being a human is hard at times. The anxiety that is produced by a hectic schedule, a tough commute (the Atlanta traffic struggle is real!), or simply watching the news can be overwhelming.

Stress and anxiety can produce some unfortunate physical symptoms. Common physical effects of stress are: difficulty sleeping, poor digestion, muscle tension and muscle aches, headaches, irritability, weight gain, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and difficulty concentrating.

Stress increases the levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone." When we have high levels of cortisol our blood pressure increases and so does our blood sugar. Neither of these conditions are good for us.

Have you ever heard of the term "Fight or Flight?" This term refers to a part of our body called the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system helps protect us by kicking in our fight or flight mode and activating our adrenal glands as if our survival depends on it. There is another part of the body called the parasympathetic system. This system is known as "Rest and Digest." When our parasympathetics are in control, our body is in a condition which supports rest, peacefulness, digestion, growth and development.

The sympathetic nervous system is our "gas pedal" and the parasympathetic system is our "brake pedal." Guess which system is in control when we are stressed out? You got it---the sympathetic system.

Did you know that regular chiropractic care can help with all of the above? Studies show that chiropractic adjustments decrease cortisol levels and alters the part of the brain that controls stress responses. The key to living a healthy life is balance! Chiropractic helps the body balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic system and supports your adrenals. All of these things mean that you are able to process and deal with stress in a more efficient way. This also means fewer symptoms of stress.

So, what are you waiting for? Make regular chiropractic care a part of your healthy living lifestyle. The benefits of a healthy nervous system add years to your life and life to your years!