Special Newsletter 2001

With the horrific events of last week, I want to pass along some information that may help in these trying times.

By now, most of us are aware of the impact our mind can have on our physical health. Messages communicated over your nerve system can affect the function of every cell of your body. Messages that are distorted due to interference from mental and physical stress, can affect your body's ability to cope and thrive under stressful circumstances. This can cause immediate health problems and chronic health deterioration if not handled appropriately now.

These strategies will help you and your family limit the impact of stress and thrive during difficult times:

1. Don't Panic- certainly this is easier said than done even when we all know that panic can make a bad situation worse. There is no doubt that we are all experiencing challenges in our lives right now. Let's make the most of those challenges. Make and take the time each day to clear your mind and focus on the things in your life that matter the most. Spend time in silence either meditating or refocusing your energy away from stress.

2. Keep Yourself Aware- many people who are challenged by stress turn to drugs, alcohol and numbing medications as a way of coping with stress. While in some very severe instances this might provide a temporary relief, the side effects of these numbing agents can be worse for you than the stress itself. Many of these agents can cause chemical addictions that can haunt you for a lifetime. Reach out to friends and family members- try everything else first.

3. Check Your Reaction to Stress- just as your mind can run wild in times of stress, so can your body have a chronic and constant stress reaction. These stress reactions can cause physical, mental, spiritual and organic exhaustion that lead to immediate and chronic health problems. Chiropractors globally see millions of people who suffer from the negative impact of stress. Chiropractic care restores ease to the nerve system and promotes immediate stress relief as well as long-term health and well-being. Removing the tension from your nerve system and keeping the tension off consistently, will help you maintain a high level of energy and a high level of health. Chiropractic keeps your nerve system balanced even when times are hard.

4. Allow Time to Grieve - when events such as these happen, there is a natural grieving process. Grieving is a not a one-time event but a process, just like your health. Allow yourself time to feel and express the emotions that are part of it. It is one of the ways that we can continue to move through times like these.

5. Disconnect For A While - turn off the T.V., don't listen to the radio, read the newspaper later and skip surfing the web. Change your focus, even temporarily away from the horrific details of the event. This is not to stick your head in the sand in denial about what's going on. On the contrary, this will enable you to focus on positive solutions and decisions that support the best outcomes for yours and your family's life now and in the future. Give yourself time to appreciate the wonderful things in life and show your appreciation to them.

If you are experiencing stress and challenges like many others, don't make your challenges worse by allowing stress to control you. Follow these guidelines and make the most of your situation. See You at Your Next Chiropractic Appointment!