Tag: stress

A condition called ‘Leisure Sickness’.

Today’s post is about a condition call ‘leisure sickness’.

I was chatting with a colleague this week about how often she gets ill when she finally gets some time off. This has also happened with myself and, I am sure, many of you. Some health experts refer to this condition as leisure sickness.

Are we imagining this?

A study was done in 2001 by Dutch researcher Professor Vingerhoets, of a condition that he termed ’leisure sickness’. This is a condition where people develop symptoms of sickness as soon as they take a break from work.

This study of almost 2,000 Dutch people found approximately 3% of them reported getting colds and flu or having headaches, fatigue or nausea when they took a break from work.

Why does it happen?

It could be linked to the way we manage our work stress and approach our work/life balance. Some of the study participants acknowledged they were struggling to manage their stress in the build up to their break.

The study data highlighted workload in conjunction with personal characteristics. In particular a high need for achievement along with a high sense of responsibility with respect to work and the inability to adjust to not being busy.

One of Prof Vingerhoets’ theories is that acute stress may hold off illness. And when we relax on holiday our resistance to disease is lowered and we can get sick.

Another theory is that actual physiological processes linked to stress play a key role in the development of these health problems.

People who work a lot develop higher levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Not only during working hours, but also during rest periods when they don’t need it. This creates a hormonal imbalance, which in turn can result in a weakened immune system leaving the body vulnerable to infection.

Avoiding leisure sickness

There are several suggestions on how to avoid leisure sickness.

You can decrease your stress before you go away. Don’t try to finalise everything a couple of days before your break. Prioritise what you need to complete before you go allowing a realistic time frame.

A University of Sydney Professor, Thomas Buckley, studied the link between work stress and health. He found that people who try to get everything done before they leave might also mean they neglect their usual healthy routine. 

He recommends people try and maintain any exercise and eating patterns before a holiday. Continuing these patterns in the first days of the holiday will also help your body transition from rushed to relaxed and promote better immune function.

If you can, organise a calm start to your journey. Book a preferred seat in advance and check in online. Arrange transport to the airport or station so you arrive in plenty of time.

Maintain hygiene when travelling, as coming into contact with a large number of people in a confined space can increase your risk of getting ill. Washing your hands frequently as you travel will help reduce exposure to bacteria.

If possible, choose a window seat when flying. When US researchers looked at how many people passengers encountered on a flight, those in an aisle seat had close contact with 64 people while those in the window only had contact with 12 people.

You could also consider planning some activities for your holiday to provide a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

Is it time for a change?

Leisure sickness can be “a clear signal from your body that you need to go somewhat easier on your work, and strive for more balance in your life,” says Prof Vingerhoets.

But if you can’t change your job (or your attitude), Vingerhoets suggests some exercise on a Friday evening, which can help with the transition from work to weekend leisure.

Till the next post,

 

Live clean n prosper.

Sources – PubMed.gov ,HCF, Web MD, University of Melbourne

What is Mucuna pruriens or Velvet bean?

Today I’m writing about Mucuna pruriens or ‘velvet bean’.

Recently, a colleague of mine mentioned it to me. As I had never heard of it before, I decided to do some research and share what I found.

What is Velvet Bean?

It is a legume that grows wild in tropical and sub tropical parts of the world. It has many other common names such as Cowhage, Cowitch, and Lacuna bean. Its botanical name is ‘Mucuna pruriens’ and it has long history as a food and a medicine.

The plant is a climber, like many species of bean or pea. It has white, lavender or purple flowers. The mature seedpods are covered in tiny hairs that cause severe itching when they come into contact with the skin. The actual seeds, or beans themselves are shiny black or brown.

The plant is popular as a fodder crop for animals in many parts of the world. It is also used to improve the soil for other crops.

What are its health benefits and uses?

The mucuna pruriens beans can be eaten as a food. The raw velvet bean seeds are rich in protein, essential fatty acids and minerals.
In many Asian countries the beans are used in the manufacture of miso and tempeh. In some countries they are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The young seedpods can also be cooked and eaten like runner beans.

All parts of the plant, including the beans, have a history of medicinal uses.
The earliest records refer to the beans being used in Ayurvedic medicine over 2000 years ago as a diuretic and aphrodisiac. The leaves have been used for skin disorders and muscle pain. In the 1960’s research found that the beans contain a substance that has been revolutionary in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

In 2004, and more recently in 2017, new studies were conducted into the use of mucuna pruriens in the treatment of Parkinsons disease. These studies support the idea that mucuna pruriens is a safe alternative treatment.
The bean has also increased in popularity as a treatment for nervous disorders such as anxiety. It is also used to manage male infertility.

The velvet beans contain substances that are anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory. They are also high in antioxidants due to the presence of L-dopa. L-Dopa is a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Dopamine is one of the “feel good” chemicals in our brain. Interacting with the pleasure and reward center of our brain. Along with other chemicals like serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins, dopamine plays a vital role in how happy we feel. In addition to our mood, dopamine also affects movement, memory, and focus

With this in mind, there are several health food & supplement companies producing products containing mucuna pruriens. Many of these products are recommended to assist with mood, focus and stress management.

So if anxiety or stress is hampering your life, it might benefit you to visit your local health food store to see how these velvet beans can assist you.
I personally haven’t tried any Mucuna supplements, however in light of this research, I would consider trying it.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

Sources – The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Science Direct , Wikiped

A bit about Adrenal Fatigue

Is adrenal fatigue a real disease? At this time there is no approved test or formal criteria to define and diagnose adrenal fatigue.

Todays post is about Adrenal Fatigue.

I was having a conversation with someone about this condition recently and decided to research it a bit more. Here is what I found.

It seems that many health professionals do not recognise ‘Adrenal fatigue’ as an actual illness or health issue.

What Is It?
James Wilson, PhD, a naturopath and expert in alternative medicine came up with the term “adrenal fatigue” in 1998. He describes it as a “group of related signs and symptoms (a syndrome) that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level.” He says it’s usually associated with intense stress and often follows chronic infections like bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia.

The adrenal glands, which are small organs above your kidneys, respond to stress by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are part of your “fight or flight” response.
According to James Wilsons’ theory, if we are subjected to long-term stress, the adrenal glands burn out from prolonged production of cortisol. So adrenal fatigue sets in. The adrenal depletion would cause brain fog, low energy, depressive mood, salt and sweet cravings, lightheadedness, and other vague symptoms.

Is the condition real?
Low energy and tiredness are among also the most common reasons patients seek help from a doctor. Despite being so common, it is often challenging to come up with a diagnosis, as many medical problems can cause fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue, in theory, links stress exposure to adrenal exhaustion as a possible cause of this lack of energy.
However, too much cortisol can also derail the body’s most important functions creating similar symptoms.

Is adrenal fatigue a real disease?
I was not able to find any scientific studies to support the theory.
The Endocrine Society (the world’s largest organisation of endocrinologists) does not recognise this condition. The Endocrinologists are categorical: “no scientific proof exists to support adrenal fatigue as a true medical condition.”

At this time there is no approved test or formal criteria to define and diagnose adrenal fatigue.

What about Adrenal Insufficiency?
Also known as Addison’s disease, is a recognised condition that can be diagnosed with blood tests. It is a medical condition that occurs when your adrenal glands aren’t producing adequate amounts of one or more essential hormones.

Symptoms include chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, weight loss, and stomach pain. You might also have nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, diarrhoea, depression, or darkening of the skin.

So what’s a person to do?
Regardless of what we call it, there are millions of people suffering from similar symptoms.
Just because at this stage there are no tests for this condition or that it is not recognised as an actual medical condition, doesn’t mean that it’s not possible.
It is important to seek advise from your health care professional. There are usually various tests that need to be conducted to rule out known health conditions. Treatments include personalised plans involving supplements, counselling and some lifestyle changes.

I hope you found this interesting.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

Sources – www.health.harvard.edu, www.healthdirect.gov.au, www.webmd.com