Most of us have direct experience of how chronic, or intense psychological stress can affect the digestive system. Ancient practitioners of Chinese Medicine also theorized that the gut (particularly the Liver) was the seat of emotions. Modern science explains this phenomena, discovering that up to 90% of our neurotransmitters and hormone are actually produced in the gut.

What Happens to Digestion When We’re Stressed

Something not many of us know, at least logically, is that the digestive system is in fact governed by the Central Nervous System, namely a sub-branch of the nervous system referred to as the “parasympathetic nervous system”. In essence, the parasympathetic system is our “rest and digest” state. Only when we are relaxed and free of stress does the parasympathetic system and therefore digestion, activate.

When we enter a state of stress, the counterpart to the parasympathetic system; the sympathetic system, activates. This stress state or the “flight or fight” response shuts down digestion by reducing blood flow to the digestive organs, inhibits digestive fluid secretion, and instead sends the blood and biological energy to muscular-skeletal system to prepare for battle.

When the sympathetic system is chronically stimulated by prolonged stress, it can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation and weaken the immune system.

One example of how stress can cause common digestive issues is by causing the esophagus to spasm and altering stomach acid secretion. This leads to heartburn, acid reflux and can make you feel nauseous. Another example is the effects stress has on the colon. Intense stress increases the secretion of stress hormones cortisol, prolactin and serotonin, which can cause the colon to become hyperactive or tense, which leads diarrhea or constipation.

When any of these conditions become persistent, the inflammation and overall poor functioning of the digestive system can eventually lead to stomach ulcers, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disease.

How to Manage Stress for Better Digestion

Reducing total stress is not a quick-fix job, it requires a holistic, multi-factorial approach. However, psychological stress is one of the primary, dominant stressors that negatively affect the digestive system. While getting a handle on the causes of psychological stress can take time, there are some simple things you can do to mitigate their effects.

One simple way to de-stress is to engage in fun, moderate exercise. Physical exercise relieves tension, gets us out of our heads, improves our mood by releasing endorphins but also helps with the elimination of stress hormones. Some of the healthiest forms of exercise include walking, hiking, biking, swimming, dancing, yoga, thai qi, and weight lifting.

Other great ways to reduce stress include:

Relaxation – People with digestive issues are often overly stressed and do not relax enough. Getting authentic, deep relaxation is more challenging in today’s world, but can be achieved through yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, cognitive therapy, biofeedback, good music, spending time in nature, camping, love-making, and working on an enjoyable project or hobby.

Communication therapy – A major source of psychological stress dwells in the world of communication. In fact, most stress and problems in life have their roots in communication trouble. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to say, or someone wasn’t talking to you, you know the stress associated with poor communication. Taking courses or reading books communications can be helpful for improving our quality of life, relationships and reducing a great source of stress. However, simply having a good friend or loved one you can talk to freely about your stress can be a major stress reliever. Personally, I have found cognitive therapy to be a major help in relieving chronic stress in my life. There are even studies that have demos rated a 70 percent improvement in stress symptoms after 12 weeks of cognitive therapy.

Nutrition – A bad diet can ruin a good digestive system. Poor nutrition can be a source of biological stress, but also, eating the right foods can help curb the effects of stress. In general, it is helpful to eat more protein and salt when stressed. In fact, soldiers in the army are required to eat a higher protein diet to mitigate the catabolic effects of combat. So, it is best to take a two-sided approached nutritionally, where you avoid junk foods that add to your stress, and eat nutrient-dense, wholesome foods that help replenish a stressed body.

Choose your battles – An interesting thing about life is that problems seem to be valuable. If we had no problems at all, we’d be existentially bored. So, the goal is not to eliminate all problems and stress form our lives. Instead, we need to pick our problems wisely. For example, starting a new fulfilling relationship will have its challenges, but in the end, the problems are usually worth it. Same goes for starting a new project or goal. A good rule of thumb is that any given condition in life would ideally be 80% pleasure with 20% pain, the pain being the optimal amount of stress that just makes like interesting and helps us grow.

In Conclusion

Mental and emotional stress can cause a lot of problems for an otherwise healthy digestive system. Stress all together is unavoidable, it seems to be a natural part of the game of life. What’s important is how we react to our stress and problems, and that we ultimately avoid it from becoming chronic. If you know you are under too much stress and/or having symptoms of digestive stress, then these tips will help. If stress management is the problem, there are cognitive therapists, yoga and medication instructors who can provide verified help.

What is stress? Stress is made of stressful thoughts and images in the mind, a rush of adrenaline, and corresponding sensations and tensions in the body. Anxiety and fear are other words for stress. Fear is as natural and healthy a response as is the pain we feel when we put our hand in the fire.

Fear is a helpful message that says, “Danger! Pay attention! Take care!” The question is, is there real danger (immanent), or is it imagined danger, like the thought, “I won’t be able to get it all done”, and the feeling that something awful will happen if I don’t?

Usually, when we talk about stress management, we are talking about ways of getting rid of or reducing the tension or fear. The only way to reduce fear is to feel safe again. Fear/stress activate our fight/flight/freeze response so we can get back to safety.

But what happens when we cannot find our way back to safety, as in our fear of failing to complete our dissertations or getting our degrees; or fear of losing our loved ones; or fear of losing our health, etc.? We remain in the fight/flight response longer than is healthy for our bodies, so they start shutting down to conserve energy. This shows up as tiredness, fatigue, lack of energy, loss of motivation, or depression.

To feel safe again in the face of failure and loss, we can come to accept these as inevitable in life and to realize that, while uncomfortable and painful, they are not dangerous. We have all already survived both. They are like an injury or illness from which we heal.

I am reminded of the quote from At the Will of the Body by Arthur Frank, to paraphrase, “Every time we get ill or become injured at some level we fear our death, yet we recover from every injury or illness until we encounter the one from which we do not recover”.

This brings us squarely to our inevitable existential fear of death, which we all-too-successfully deny (see The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker), yet of which we are inevitably and frequently reminded.

There is a saying that states, “F E A R can mean two things – Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise. We can spend the rest of our lives running and distracting and avoiding, or we can find the courage to face our fears and rise above them to do what we love and live our lives fully until we die. We get to choose. Only one of them qualifies as self-care.

Kelly McGonigal found research that shows that stress is not bad for us. What is bad for us is the belief that it is bad for us. The people who died from stress were only those who believed stress was bad for them (see her TED talk https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend )

To summarize, the impulse to manage stress is probably always motivated by our fear and resistance to our stress, which only adds to our stress. It is not stress that needs to be managed, but our response to stress.

When we respond to stress by simply acknowledging, allowing and accepting it, we are switching off the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight), and switching on our parasympathetic nervous system (that returns us to calm). We could call this “permission to be stressed”.

When I first learned of this, I’d tell myself, “I get to be as stressed as I need to be for as long as I need to be”, to counter the years of messaging that told me that I should not be stressed, I had no reason to be stressed, and to get over it. Meeting stress with acceptance is self-compassion and is the first step back to our longed-for calm. This is self-care in the face of stress.

What symptoms do you exhibit when stressed? How do they show up for you?

Often stress shows up in a wide variety of ways: physical, mental and emotional.

Physical signs include headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach, restless sleep, shaky/sweaty hands, and fidgeting.

Mental signs include being easily distracted/unable to focus, being more forgetful, having simple issues become exaggerated, and having increased dreaming.

Emotional signs include irritability, short temper, exhaustion, and an inability to make decisions.

How can you relieve or reduce your stress?

TIP #1 – Take Charge.

When you feel in control, you can RESPOND rather than REACT to your environment. You feel more empowered and better able to manage what comes your way. Begin by looking at what you can control and what you cannot.

List the things I control in my life.

List the things that are TRULY out of my control.

What is my attitude towards the things I control? Toward the things, I don’t?

What stresses can I say “no” to, eliminate, reduce or delegate in my life?

What can I add to my life that will counteract stress? (meditation, workouts, etc.)

What positive people do I want in my life to support me?

What negative people do I need to spend less time with?

What is most important to me?

Make a list, prioritize, and commit to removing one stressful thing a day!

TIP #2 – Incorporate Exercise.

Regular exercise is one of the best stress-reduction techniques out there. It has multiple stress-relieving benefits:

IMPROVED HEALTH: “Exercising adds life to your years as well as years to your life” through a lowered heart rate and reduced risk of heart disease; it may also prevent certain types of cancer and will increase stamina.

IMPROVED MOOD: Exercising causes the brain to release opium-like substances that ease pain and produce a natural high, giving a sense of well-being and comfort. It also stimulates the brain to secrete serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which act as antidepressants and improve mood (deficiencies can result in depression, anxiety, impulsivity, aggression, and increased appetite).

REDUCED BODY TENSION: Exercising helps relieve pent-up emotions we hold in our muscles. Having a relaxed body allows you to sleep better, have more energy, enhance concentration and memory, and quicken your alertness and reaction time, resulting in an overall feeling of well-being.

CREATE A PLAN:

How can taking charge and exercising affect my stress level?

How do I want to feel after I have planned and exercised-both physically and emotionally?

What can I do to incorporate planning and exercise in my life? (What? When? With whom? For how long?)

GET STARTED TODAY:

Find a friend to exercise with for the recommended minimum of 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. Working out with a friend helps to provide a plan for regular routine, accountability, and allows for multitasking so you can brainstorm, encourage or share thoughts with a friend while working out.

Get a personal trainer or join a gym. Push yourself to WORK OUT!

Be conscious about exercising. Park farther away and walk. Take a flight of stairs instead of an elevator. Do sit-ups while watching TV. Take the dog for a morning walk before you shower.

All the benefits of planning and exercise impact your ability to be sharper, move faster and feel better. Taking time to do this will actually give you more time for the other things you need to do and REDUCE YOUR STRESS!

One of the things that most people need to do is to find a proper way to relieve stress. This is because stress is really something that can negatively impact your health. According to some studies, stress is caused by a continuous buildup of tension within the person and unless these things are properly released, the stressed individual could end up having serious problems later on. Similarly, it must be said that if stress is not relieved in a proper way, the stressed individual could end up doing all sorts of undesirable acts that would detriment society. And so for those people out there who are feeling stressed, why not do something fun like watching a movie?

Watching a movie is a highly suggested method when it comes to releasing stress. This is because viewing a film transports the person into a different world where he can forget his problems even for a few hours. Though it must be said that viewing a film will not erase the problems that you have in real life, it will at least enable you to stop thinking of those problems for a while which means your mind will be able to unclench itself. Always keep in mind that the mind is clenched into a sort of ball whenever it is stressed and so the best antidote to such a situation is to find a way to relax your mind before it clenches itself any further.

Is there a specific type of movie that should be watched? Most experts would suggest that a stressed individual should watch something light and funny because viewing a horror movie may not really unclench your mind that much. This is because what the horror movies are meant to give you quite a scare and as such, this could actually add on to the stress that you already had going into the movie. In this light, always remember that you should veer away from activities that will add on to your stress because those things are definitely going to create bigger problems for you.

At the end of the day it must be said that watching a movie is one of the best ways to relieve a person of stress. If and when you feel quite stressed, do remember to take some time out to catch a movie because doing so could really work wonders for you in the long run.

Stress affects all students, from graduate level to those in the kindergarten. The term stress refers to the response you have when facing circumstances that force you to act, change or adjust in some way to keep things balanced. It is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. In the right dose, stress can be healthy or even enjoyable. However, stress can be very damaging for students when it becomes excessive. It can harm students’ health, happiness, performance, relationships and personal development. This article will deal with management of negative stress.

Causes Of Stress In Students

Causes of stress in school children include; bullies, a mismatch between student and teacher, concerns about not having enough friends, not in the same class as friends, peer pressure, lack of family time, over scheduling of extra-curricular activities, insufficient sleep, poor diet, lack of preparation, noise pollution among others.

As the students progress to a different level the causes of stress often increase. When students go to college or university, they have to contend with leaving their parents and beginning the process of finding their own identity as adults and their place in the world. The main causes of stress here will therefore include; the new university or college environment, payment of fees, the new relationships formed, the competitive circumstances, exams, lack of proper time management techniques, peer and parental pressure.

How Students Can Manage Stress

Students can manage stress using various techniques. The most important of these are;

1. Learning to manage their time wisely. This is done by setting up a study schedule, breaking up studies into smaller chunks. In short, students are advised to formulate, with the help of their teachers and parents, study timetables and adhere to them.
2. The student will also need to have a system of organization for note-taking, keeping track of assignments and other important papers.
3. Creating a good study environment is also a great tool for stress management. Students have different study habits. While some need a completely quiet room free from interruptions, others actually study better listening to quiet music in the background. A student should pick which is best for him or her.
4. Determining the most appropriate learning style: whether the student is a visual, kinesthetic or auditory learner. Tailoring your study practices around your particular learning styles makes success easier to attain and keeps stress at bay.
5. Using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, visualization or imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation and yoga. Additionally, being optimistic will help students become healthier, less stressed and more successful.
6. Learning how to budget money, spend wisely and pay bills on time, if any, is very important for the student’s survival and will lower stress levels.
7. Lastly, students must take care of their bodies and minds by getting proper nutrition, getting some form of physical exercise and getting enough sleep. Seven hours of sleep each night is recommended for optimum body and brain function. Naps, not exceeding one hour, should also be taken when needed.

Following these tips will help you greatly to reduce the stress and it might even help to improve your performance on exams.

Before we have a discussion about stress, let’s define our terms. What exactly, are the kinds of stress that we are talking about? There are the physical stresses like lack of sleep or working nine hours digging ditches. There are the chemical or nutritional stresses that are becoming more common every day in America. Just have a soda and pizza and watch the people for a while. Then there are the emotional or mental stresses. I bet you’re talking about emotional stress.

Okay, let’s talk about emotional stress, but understand that all three kinds of stress can create the same effects of stress. There are certain patterns that take place during times of stress, no matter what kind you want to talk about. Here’s a list of stress effects: circulatory changes, skin rashes, adrenal gland fatigue, lymphatic system slow down, intestinal track irritation…almost every symptom of the body will show the effects of stress.

So instead of looking at all the symptoms, which won’t do you any good anyway, let’s get to the cause and the correction of the cause of stress. Because no matter what the cause and effects of stress are, there are some powerful ways to reduce them.

Emotional Stress

Some people never “get over” a loved one’s death, marital breakup, or other severe stress. Never. These people live their lives in the constant presence of the past emotional stress. Even extensive counseling doesn’t help some people. Counseling at such times can be most important for a person, but counseling does not reset the emotional stress overload circuit breakers if they have been short circuited.

How many stressful life events can you think about which cause your “stomach to tie into a knot” or a queasy feeling to occur or tears to fill your eyes? The presence of these symptoms when thinking about an emotionally stressing event are a surefire indication that the emotional stress overload points need to be “reset” by you or someone close to you.

Have you ever seen a distressed person or a person completely frustrated, clap their hand to their forehead? Maybe you’ve done it yourself… recently. Why over the forehead? It is no accident that placing the hand over the forehead is an instinctive reaction. Your body knows what it’s doing.

It has been discovered that on the skin of the forehead are located neurological “circuit breakers” which are associated with mental and emotional stress overload. The instinctive reaction of the person’s nerve system is to draw attention to these circuit breakers.

Think about the last time you went through a stressful situation. How about a school assignment that you had forgotten? What about that person you have to talk to but don’t want to? What about that event that’s coming up that you have to attend-and it’s the last thing you want to do? Think of “that one thing” that causes you stress.

In each of these situations, if you think about the one that causes you intensity, you may very well slap your hand to your forehead. You might even add a shake of your head. The point is this thought is causing you stress and the job of your subconscious mind is to minimize the effects of stress by attempting to reset your emotional circuit breakers. So let’s do this for real. It will take 5 minutes and may very well change your life.

Find something moderately stressful. Think about it for ten seconds or to the point that this thought causes you a “gut feeling” of stress. You know what I mean? If it’s not there, add some sensations like movement, sound, color, or brightness.

Now, place your finger pads on your emotional circuit breakers; they are the two bony points on your forehead. Make sure you are thinking about that stressful episode at the same time you are touching your forehead. Hold these points with a slight stretching or tugging on the skin and you’re going to reset these circuits. The contacts should be held until a slight pulsation (like taking your pulse on your wrist or your neck) is felt in both fingers simultaneously. This usually takes from 30 seconds to two minutes. Once the pulsation is felt, the contacts may be held for a few more seconds and then released.

This is a simple but powerful way for you to reset your emotional circuit breakers in relation to a specific episode of stress. It will dramatically reduce the intensity of the event. If not, do it again. Do it until the intensity goes down to zero.

How do you feel? You have just removed a significant effect of stress from your life.

Psychological trauma is any physical or psychological threat to an individual’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety or physical survival. An individual might experience trauma because of sexual, emotional or physical abuse. Exposure to severe natural disasters, the occurrence of war, abandonment and witness to violence such as domestic violence can also cause trauma. It would be worth noting that this is not the entirety of the possible causes of trauma.

PTSD is a chronic state in which an individual’s neurophysiological responses become aroused when faced by a ‘possible threat’. The individual will then exhibit a combination of physical symptoms which can include hyperactive alertness, agitation, heavy or difficult breathing avoidance of both physical and emotional contact with others.

The threat is a single or a set of circumstances that remind the individual of the initial traumatic experience. The individual will thus try to avoid any situation that he/ she views as a threat. This behavior becomes worse over time as the sensitivity to the threats increases.

Severe psychological stress favors the production of cortisol, a hormone that increases the blood sugar levels. The sugar provides the energy required for either flight or fight (a natural body reaction to a perceived threat, whether real or imagined). Cortisol also greatly suppresses the functioning of endocrine system. The endocrine system is a set of glands that produce chemicals essential for the various body metabolisms such as digestion, tissue function, growth, development and mood.

This is why individuals suffering from PTSD exhibit symptoms such as a reduced motivation to have fun, increased isolation and increased anxiety in social meetings. Other signs that indicate an individual is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder include aggression, emotional irritability and general poor health. Therefore, it is vital to indulge in activities that will help you to overcome the disorder. One of the major signs is the emotional and physical (over) reaction to a situation, where the person for example screams and runs away because they were approached from behind.

To overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if symptoms have persisted over more than one month is to seek professional help. There are other things that can be done to help, but it is important to accept that the symptoms are a natural reaction to unusual circumstances. Participating in enjoyable activities can be very beneficial, giving you some “time-out”. These activities should however not be too challenging as this would decrease their enjoyment. Learning meditation techniques such as yoga can also play a vital role in alleviating the condition. But never forget to get the help from a professional if symptoms persist.

Booking the flight to your next travel destination is relatively straightforward, but there are also other things to consider such as the onward journey to your hotel. A private airport transfer service is likely to be the most stress-free option to complete your journey after arriving at the airport. Additionally, they will have drivers that know several routes to the chosen destination to minimise the risk of getting delayed in traffic.

Here are three things that can make your journey as stress-free as possible:

Book early

A private airport transfer service is best booked early to avoid disappointment. An early booking will increase the likelihood of securing the preferred type of vehicle and also match the best time slot. If things are left late, you may need to wait around in the airport or travel in a vehicle that isn’t precisely to your needs.

Check the vehicle options

The majority of companies offering this type of service will give the option to choose a preferred type of vehicle. For the couples or solo travellers, a saloon car is likely to give the desired space and comfort. However, a luxury minibus or an estate car is more practical for larger groups or small families.

Additionally, it is worth notifying the company if you have any unusual baggage requirements. Anything large or bulky may not fit in a regular family car, so it will be necessary to upgrade the vehicle size to match the luggage needs.

Also, there is the option to choose the high-end vehicle for the business event or if planning to have a corporate client collected. A popular type of car for the corporate travel is likely to include the Mercedes models.

Ask about extras

The range of services offered can vary with the many different companies. Some companies will be willing to offer a complete list of extras, while others can be quite limited. A few of the extras include text message notifications to say when the driver has arrived or booster seats for younger children. If you are able to organise the bespoke service you will enjoy the most relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Overall, the option to use a professional driver to get you to or from the airport will mean you will likely be more organised and able to get to your intended destination on time. Self driving to the airport can be stressful, but this feeling is virtually eliminated when able to ride in a comfortable and luxurious vehicle with no need to be concerned about the traffic or finding a space to park.

Pet Wellness embraces many areas of a healthy happy pet so in appreciation of Stress Awareness Month learn how you can identify and eliminate pet stress to give him a longer, happier, healthier life.

April is Stress Awareness Month and this applies to all living things, big, small, human or not – particularly our pets. Are you surprised to read that animals have stress? Stress affects our dogs and cats and various type pets across the board. Pet stress just like people stress causes health problems, decreases the quality of life, causes depression, and shortens life span. For these reasons, amongst others, it is necessary for pet owners to practice another part of pet wellness which is finding out if their pet is stressed, identifying the stress factors, and using the necessary techniques to eliminate the stress and increase the quality of their pet’s life.

Pet Stress Signs

Many pet stress signs can also be signs of other problems so do not just assume it is stress. It’s important to look into all the avenues in order to efficiently help your pet and save yourself and your pet future health problems and chunky vet bills.

1. Itching

Itching is a sign of several things such as fleas, ticks, lice, or skin allergy but it can also be a sign of stress if your dog or cat is itching himself more than normal. Eliminate the possibility of fleas, ticks, lice and allergy first, and then consider that it could be your pet is stressed. Natural health care for pets treatments offers effective allergy itching remedies that can be administered at home. Treating itching and discomfort from allergies and eliminating the allergy source will also keep your pet from suffering from stressed caused by discomfort – from ongoing itchiness.

2. Excessive shedding

The more pet stress there is the more shedding there will be. Shedding however is also common with poor quality dog food, poor diet, and can also be genetics, as well as a dog that is not getting enough sun light. Another condition of excessive shedding is when the pores of the dog’s skin do not close all the way allowing hair to fall constantly. This usually requires a vitamin such as Biotin to help. Or, your pet could be too stressed out.

3. Lethargy

A lethargic pet is always a sign that something is not right and needs to be looked into urgently. Lethargy can stem from depression, poor health, not enough exercise and unhappiness. Or, your pet’s stress is on fire. Usually a vet will request a stool sample in order to get to the root of this problem.

4. Aggression

A sick, injured or pet in pain may be aggressive if approached or stroked, outside of this your pets aggression could be stress related.

5. Lack of or no appetite

Pets that are stressed, sick, or depressed will often eat less or lose their appetite all together. This is another area, obviously that needs to be immediately addressed if noticed by pet owners.

6. Lack of interest

A dog or cat that suddenly shows lack of interest in things he was always excited to do or enjoyed doing is a sign of a sick, sad, or depressed pet. Check for sickness first then consider stress as a reason.

7. Passive behavior

The opposite of aggression, some pets will become passive when stressed.

8. Negative behavior

Often pets who are bored will dig, chew, or bark constantly. A stressed or sad dog will be destructive, this is also a common behavior of intelligent breeds who are not left alone for long periods of time or not exercised physically and mentally enough for their breed.

9. Change is bathroom habits

A dog that is house trained or a cat that is litter box trained who suddenly forgets this and goes in the house, could be stressed or sad. Consider the age of your pet and for how long he has been trained because accidents do happen and especially during the puppy stages or learning stages.

10. Sounds

Funny as it may be cats will often purr when they are stressed, sad or even dying – as opposed to a dog that will growl when unhappy or agitated.

11. Body Language

Many pets, particularly dogs and cats will have a change in body language such as slouching while they walk, hanging their head low, walking more slowly than usual, and laying down all the time. This could be a sign your dog or cat is not well, has an injury, is depressed, or experiencing pet stress.

Happy Pet Signs

1. Curious

2. Playful

3. Shows recognition of people he knows

4. Normal stools and bathroom habits that are rarely disturbed

5. Over all happy appearance and behavior

6. A healthy appetite

Just like people dogs and cats have different personalities and owners, with different lifestyles and different environments. Dogs and cats will handle their stress in different ways – some are more wound up and edgy while others go with the flow and may not be too bothered by things. When a pet owner is stressed or depressed it can affect their pets, particularly a dog or cat, as these animals are very open to the feelings, spirit, and environment of their owners. If you are stressed, anxious, or depressed, it is highly likely that your dog or cat will be as well.

But there are other factors that can cause your dog or cat pet stress.

1. Pet wellness requires pet owners to identify if their pet is stressed and take the necessary actions to improve the situation. Consider first yourself. Are you stressed more than the norm? Are you depressed, sad or feeling anxious and nervous? Remember that just like your kids, your pet will pick up on your stress and if it’s having a direct hit on your behavior, state of mind, actions and personality, it is certainly affecting your pet as well.

2. If your pet is sick and is not getting better this can cause him stress and unhappiness just as it would you. So keep an eye on your pet and be sure to take action on any out of the norm situations that may arise. Do not delay because you don’t know what the situation might be and it could be time sensitive, making all the difference between recovery or death. For pets that already have an illness or health issue stress can delay healing, and even cause the problem to become chronic if your pet is dealing with unrelenting stress.

3. Constant television, flashing lights, lack of visual stimuli, smoke or polluted living environments all can cause dog stress through his eyes. Consider turning off your television for some time during the day, easy lights in the evenings, toys and a stimulating, clean air environment.

4. Once again, just like with our kids the television can become a problem if not managed in the household. A constant, loud television can add stress through your dog’s ears. Loud noises, other dogs constantly barking, people arguing, children screaming, sirens, video games, thunder storms and slamming doors that are consistent in a pets environment are other stresses through sound can affect your dog. Consider classical music for your dog or cat when you leave him home alone as opposed to television or the radio. Classical music is quiet, slow and relaxing and proven to be favored amongst dogs and cats. There is loads of pet music CD’s available these days that have clinically proven types of music most suitable and enjoyed by dogs and cats. An antistatic cape can be used for help with dog that suffer from thunderstorm stress. Consider the noise level in your home and make changes for a calmer, quieter atmosphere if necessary.

5. Perfumes, excessive or irritating essential oils, hair spray, air fresheners, deodorants, and smoke are also stress culprits that cause anxiety or agitation through the dog’s nose. For health reasons and global warming signs it is preferred that people not use air fresheners in their homes or vehicles. Instead get to the root of the odor problem and try a natural freshener such as boiling are cooking a cinnamon stick. Don’t use perfumes, deodorants, hair sprays or smoke around your pet. Instead keep use of these items to one room to keep the rest of the house clean.

6. For anxiety and fear, pet owners will often consider a product called Dog Appeasing Pheromone. However, before you go that route consider Lavender aromatherapy, which has shown success in reducing stress, sadness and restlessness in dogs housed in shelters and dog pounds.

7. The mouth and digestive system of a dog also play a part in stress. A poor diet, unhealthy teeth and gums not getting enough water, or having to compete for food are all sources of pet stress. Make sure your dog is getting regular dental checkups and regular cleaning. A safe and trusted eating environment, fresh clean water daily, a balanced healthy diet

8. Temperature and climate are also sources of stress. A pet in uncomfortable, painful or isolated living conditions will have high stress levels.

9. Excessive exercise, poor training techniques, and injuries gone untreated can cause arthritis and joint disease. Poor training can also cause fear and lack of trust, all of which bring on stress. Exercise should be breed and age appropriate, fun and stimulating and moderate. Training should be age and breed appropriate and never on a hard core, cruel basis. To protect against injuries, joint disease and arthritis, ensure your dog or cat receives body-benefiting treatments such as pet massage, cold or hot heating pads and swimming in the pool if possible. Make sure your dog is comfortable with water first and that you are with him when he is taking a dip. Like a child, never leave your pet alone in or near water. Massages do not have to be expensive you can learn to do it at home, as well as many other natural health care for pets practices

In the spirit of stress awareness month remember that being a responsible and conscientious pet owner requires you put pet wellness into practice and keep abreast of any changes in your pet, just as you do yourself your children. Be aware of changes in behavior of any kind to be addressed and sourced to the root of the problem. Stress is the not the cause for all problems your pet may encounter but it should certainly never be ruled out. Give your pet the quality of life he deserves by ensuring his meals, treats, exercise, training, lifestyle, treatments and environment are healthy ones and appropriate for his breed and age. Giving your pet a wholesome pet natural diet, vegetable enhanced and free from poor quality food ingredients, unhealthy additives will maintain your pet’s inner and outer beauty as well as protect him from disease. Maintain his health further by doing your level best to eliminate pet stress and enhance the length and quality of your pet’s life.