Tag: stress

Is Change as good as a Holiday?

Todays post is about Change or Holidays, a continuation on the topic of mental health.

We have all heard or used the saying ‘ a change is as good as a holiday’, or as Winston Churchill said, ‘a change is as good as a rest’.

Well is it? I decided to do some research and see if there is any scientific basis for this theory.

It turns out that a couple of studies have been conducted and a few scientific papers have been written on the subject.

So I have put together some of the facts for you.

First there is stress

Now stress is actually a process, not a diagnosis. We all experience stress when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and whether we are able to cope with those demands.

The level and extent of stress a person may feel depends a lot on their attitude to a particular situation. An event that may be extremely stressful for one person can be a mere hiccup for another person.

Stress is not always a bad thing. Some people thrive on stress and even need it to get things done. When the term ‘stress’ is used in a clinical sense, it refers to a situation that causes discomfort and distress for a person and can lead to other mental health problems,

Generally, continuing stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people’s health. It is well recognised that sufficient recovery is necessary to counteract negative stress reactions.

Is a holiday the answer?

One study concluded that a holiday for at least seven consecutive days provided an efficient recovery strategy. Another study conducted in 2017, supports this theory. The results indicated that one single short-term holiday, has a large, positive and immediate effect on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. Interestingly, escaping daily routines and the usual environment do not seem to be crucial for recovery.

For the study participants, the effects were still detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (wellbeing and stress) post-holiday.

Or is change the answer?

Research conducted by New York University; found that daily variability in physical location, along with new and diverse experiences is linked to enhanced happiness. The results suggest that people feel happier when they experience variety in their daily routines.

However simple the change, there’s a neurological reason why variety makes us happy.

Two parts of our brain, essential for mood, are stimulated by change.

The hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that is involved in forming new memories, emotions and learning, is also sensitive to the novelty of new environments.

Another part of the brain, called the striatum, helps us to evaluate our environment and processes reward.

The activity in these areas of the brain tends to be more synchronised in people who explore new things daily. This has a stronger influence on their mood.

Something as simple as introducing a little bit of variety into our day may be enough to increase our sense of well being.

So, it seems that a far as our physical reaction to stress is concerned, science does support the adage that a change is as good as a holiday. Either option has the ability to improve our mental health.

I hope you found this information interesting.

Till the next post,

 

Live clean n prosper.

(Sources – National Library of Medicine –New York University publications– CNBC Make It – )

A condition called Pyrrole Disorder

Hello all Scott here again.

Following on from my last post I thought I would talk about something called “Pyrrole disorder” or Pyroluria.

So what is pyrrole disorder?

Pyroluria, or pyrrole disorder, is a condition caused by stress. It develops when there are too many pyrrole molecules in your body.

Hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL) is a molecule naturally excreted via urine. Some people may excrete more HPL (pyrroles) than others. Previously called elevated HPL, this condition is now known as pyrrole disorder.

Pyrrole molecules don’t serve any important function in the body. However, an excessive amount can deplete the body of certain vitamins and minerals before they are able to be absorbed.

This means that these nutrients, mostly zinc and B6, become depleted in the body. This in turn leads to an excess of copper because copper and zinc are linked and the levels of one affect the other.

The result of this is noticeable shifts in mood.

Pyrrole disorder has been known to have symptoms including anxiety, depression and even schizophrenia.

How is it diagnosed?

The condition has many and varied signs and symptoms, making it impossible to diagnose from history and observation alone. It is often mistaken for bipolar disorder. This is due to the variations of mood changes, which can range from mania to depression over a period of weeks.

There is also pathology testing which includes a urine assessment called a kryptopyrrole test. This test identifies how many HPL molecules you have in your body. An excessive amount may indicate pyrrole disorder.

What are some common symptoms?

This disorder is thought to affect around 10% of the population with the most likely cause being genetics.

Common symptoms include –

  • sensitivity to light or sound
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • mood swings / a propensity to anger easily for insufficient reason
  • memory loss / poor short-term memory
  • feelings of anxiety / depression
  • Insomnia / fatigue

The severity of symptoms can be affected by stressful or traumatic situations and/or poor diet as well as allergies.

How is it treated?

Research on this subject is still ongoing and new things are being discovered about it all the time.

At this stage there appears to be no cure as such for Pyrrole disorder. However, given the role of HPL molecules in removing vitamin B6 and zinc from the body, it has been found that supplementing these micronutrients can help treat pyrrole disorder.

Most therapies focus on a holistic approach that addresses nutrition, stress, and lifestyle.

I hope you found this information interesting.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

 (Sources – Nutrient Power  by Dr William J. Walsh,  The Science of Psychotherapy )

What is GABA?

Today’s post is about GABA.

A friend and I were talking about this recently, so as usual, I’ve done some research so I can share some information with you.

So, first of all what is GABA?

GABA is the acronym for Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, which is an amino acid that is produced naturally in the brain. It is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, in the brain.

GABA’s big role in the body is to help the body and brain to relax. It promotes feelings/sensations of calm and tiredness. The brain naturally releases GABA at the end of a day to promote sleepiness and allow a person to rest.

It does this by blocking specific signals in the central nervous system, slowing down the brain. This provides a protective and calming effect on the brain and body. Which in turn, helps to slow down the heart rate and breathing, as well as relaxing muscles.

Too much or too little

Too much GABA means that there is not enough brain activity. This can lead to hypersomnia or daytime sleepiness.

At the other end of the scale, a lack of GABA leaves your central nervous system with too many neuronal signals. This can cause conditions like epilepsy, seizures or mood disorders.

For those who have low levels of GABA, symptoms may include feelings of anxiety, stress and worry.

Because alcohol targets GABA receptors and mimics the effect of this neurotransmitter, helping to relax the mind and body.  Some people find they have alcohol cravings. While alcohol may help in the short term, the negative side effects of too much alcohol outweigh the temporary feelings of calm and relax.

There are medications designed to interact with the GABA receptors in the brain, to achieve certain effects. These are typically prescribed to help with pain relief, stress and anxiety reduction, lower blood pressure, and improved sleep. These medications include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.

GABA and diet

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid does not occur naturally in foods. However, a variety of foods contain flavonoids that influence GABA levels and how it works in the brain.

These include varieties of green, black, and oolong tea, fermented foods including kimchi, miso, kefir, yogurt, and tempeh. Other foods that may boost production are;

  • whole grains, fava beans, soy, lentils, and other beans;
  • nuts including walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds;
  • fish including shrimp and halibut;
  • and citrus, tomatoes, berries, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and cocoa.

A number of natural supplements also affect GABA activity to help relieve stress and anxiety, promote a balanced mood, and help with sleep. These include;

  • valerian and hops
  • magnesium
  • L-theanine
  • L-arginine
  • kava
  • passionflower
  • American ginseng.
What about supplements?

GABA is also available as a supplement. These supplements are often taken to treat high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, and sleep.

However, scientists have not been able to prove the positive effects of GABA supplementation or what kind of risks it might pose, so their use may have limited effectiveness.

Before deciding to use a GABA supplement, it may be a good idea to seek advise from a health professional.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

(Sources – web MD  – Food for the Brain Foundation –  McGill OSS – News, Medical-Life Sciences – )