Avoiding Meltdown

— Elena Michaels, PhD, CCH, LMFT

War, government corruption, impending doom, circumstances beyond our control…how might this affect us, and what can we do about it?

Adrenaline is secreted from our adrenal glands when we are stressed, frightened, angry or fear an impending attack. Ongoing stress, anger, fear, and feelings of impending doom can lead to the “fight or flight” response, triggering ongoing elevated cortisol.  This can have deleterious effects on our body, mind, relationships, and work performance.

Elevated cortisol can create immune system disturbances.  Those with adrenal exhaustion seem to get every flu, cold, or virus going around. Stress CAN create disease.  Stressed adrenal glands can lead to adrenal exhaustion, fatigue, and depression.

Brian Tracy and Dr. Andrew Weil, both well-known authors in personal growth, empowerment, and health, encourage a “news fast” (no listening, watching, or reading the news for two weeks).  We are highly suggestible when stressed, and can actually put ourselves into a depressed state when we hear/read negative information over and over again.  If we perceive this information to be beyond our control, we go into the “fight or flight” response leading to anxiety or depression.  I suggest trying the “news fast” to see if you notice a difference, then making a decision tolisten to/read the news only once a day, and NOT before bed.

Supporting our bodies through diet, nutritional therapy, and exercise helps support the adrenals and the entire system.  This gives us control over something we CAN change.  We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ourselves.  When we fine-tune our bodies and minds, we like ourselves more.  We are more patient, kind, and accepting.  We function better, enjoying others and ourselves more.

Taking time on a daily basis to connect to the larger part of ourselves (universal energy, supreme being, or whatever you choose to call it) brings balance…creating greater inner peace, harmony, and contentment.

Taking care of ourselves can change our personal reality.  Enough people doing this may actually change the world!  Using our minds, words, and actions to create positivity, love, and acceptance can have powerful effects.  This starts with each one of us treating ourselves kindly (not abusively with food, drugs, or words), and with respect, love and acceptance.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it now.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it”…Goethe.

You can create your life in a positive way!

Elena Michaels is a Doctor of Natural Health, licensed psychotherapist and nutritionist. She has been helping others for more than 3 decades.  She can be reached at 661 250-4395, [email protected] or www.facebook.com/DrElenaMichaels