The Link Between Money Stress and Illness

No matter who you are or what you do for a living, money stress can be a big problem. Stressing out over financial concerns is something that virtually everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Stress related to money can lead to serious health consequences that you may not even see coming until it’s too late.

How Does Stress Affect the Body?

Stress affects the body in many ways, and most of the effects of stress on the body are negative. Even positive stress that comes from exciting and challenging times in your life can add up, placing more strain on your heart, your digestive system, and more.

When you experience stress, your body automatically responds by pumping more blood. This causes your heart to work harder, and it can also increase pressure in your veins and arteries. If you’re already experiencing heart problems or high blood pressure, this can become a dangerous situation.

Additionally, your stomach may process its contents more slowly as your body attempts to hold onto energy stores. This may cause indigestion and heartburn, and while you’re already stressed, these symptoms can make things feel even more stressful.

How Does Stress Affect the Mind?

While the effects of stressing out over money are bad enough when you look at how they affect the body, they can be even worse for the mind. Worrying about money issues can lead to insomnia, depression, anxiety, and mental fatigue. As these symptoms worsen, they can go on to affect your performance at work, your social relationships, and your family life.

To make matters worse, stress over money can cause your brain to signal the production of more cortisol. This hormone is what can lead to weight gain by increasing glucose in your bloodstream. Left unchecked, excess glucose can damage organs and lead to other health difficulties. This is why it’s important to have a physical exam conducted by your doctor if you’ve been stressing out over money for any length of time recently.

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What to Expect When Transitioning Into College Life

Transitioning from high school to college can be an exciting time full of possibilities. It can also be an overwhelming experience that comes with a lot of anxiety.

There are many changes that take place when entering college for the first time. A new school, new people, and new responsibilities can all make college life seem a bit daunting. Thankfully, there are some ways to ease your transition into college. Below are some tips to consider:

Stick to a Schedule

When you start college, it can be easy to fall out of your normal routine. After all, you finally have the freedom to do what you want and go where you please.

Unfortunately, allowing yourself to operate without a schedule can be a recipe for disaster as classes get skipped, assignment deadlines get missed and your attention drifts elsewhere. Instead, make a schedule and stick to it. Consider using a day planner or digital organizer on your phone to keep track of your day.

Seek Counseling When Needed

Most colleges have some type of on-campus counseling program as well as resources for after-hours counseling for students. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or you just have some questions about certain aspects of dealing with the transition to college life, take advantage of these resources.

Even community colleges and tech schools usually provide counseling for students who need someone to talk to. Even if you aren’t able to find the answers you’re looking for through a school counselor, you can at least be directed toward the right counselor for the specific concerns you’re facing.

Try New Things

College is a time of new beginnings, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try things you’re never tried before. You have the chance to find out who you really are in college, and part of doing this involves taking chances and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

If you were shy in high school, consider talking to new people and trying to make friends. If you didn’t want to take chances with your appearance in high school, maybe college is the time to try out a new style. Regardless of how you do it, try new things to find where you feel most comfortable in college life.

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How Your Brain is Affected by Addiction

Drug addiction can be detrimental to your well-being moving forward. Not only does it alienate your loved ones and friends, but it can affect your job prospects, lead to trouble with the law, and more.

More troubling, however, is how drugs affect the brain. Ever wonder what happens in your head when affected by the throws of addiction? Read on for some eye-opening information.

How Drugs Affect the Brain

First, let's talk about what drugs actually do. When you see addiction recovery tips, you rarely hear about the benefits your brain can experience. But it's an important thing to understand.

You see, drugs change how neurons send and receive signals. Some drugs mimic the brain's natural chemistry. But, most don't activate neurons in the same way as natural neurotransmitters. As a result, you get abnormal messages that affect your perception of the world.

Hard drugs like amphetamine and cocaine prevent the normal cycling of brain chemicals. The result? Amplified disruptions with potentially long-lasting impacts.

Drugs and Their Effects on Life-Sustaining Functions

Here's the rough stuff. Drugs and addiction can affect many functions that keep you alive and happy.

Let's start with the basal ganglia. This part of the brain affects aspects like pleasure, social, and more. When you take drugs, the basal ganglia become desensitized to new stimulation. As a result, it becomes harder and harder to feel pleasure from anything but drugs.

The extended amygdala is the part of your brain that controls anxiety. It becomes sensitive with drug use. With continued use, you may become more prone to anxious thoughts. Then, the drug becomes more of a self-medicating act than a way to get pleasure.

Finally, there's the prefrontal cortex. It's responsible for your decision-making and problem-solving skills. Drug use impacts the brain circuits, leading to poor impulse control.

The Road to Recovery

Getting help is your first step to recovery. Drug addiction is difficult to overcome, but you can start your journey to sobriety with addiction recovery tips and a reliable support system.

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Ways to Naturally Boost Your Energy

When life becomes hectic and schedules become overcrowded, it can be easy to feel bogged down and stressed out. Busy work schedules, full social lives and lots of family obligations bring plenty of joy, but they can also sap your energy.

While it might be tempting to have that extra cup of coffee or down yet another energy drink to get a boost, these methods only provide a temporary benefit. On top of that, they can also lead to a crash in energy once the caffeine wears off, leading to even less motivation than what you started with.

If you’re looking for real advice for low motivation without turning to artificial means to boost your energy, you’re in luck. There are plenty of ways to naturally boost your energy without the crash that comes from caffeine. Below are just a few examples:

Get Rid of Stress

Stress can impact your motivation and cause low energy. Removing stress and finding productive ways to unwind can help you feel more motivated throughout the day.

Get Good Sleep

Another important piece of advice for low motivation is to get quality sleep. Your body uses time spent sleeping to rejuvenate and heal. If you aren’t sleeping well, you can end up feeling less motivated with decreased energy throughout the day.

Remember that all lifestyle choices, including alcohol consumption and smoking, can affect your quality of sleep. Consider stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption to sleep better.

Watch Your Diet

Everything that you put into your body affects your energy levels in some way. Eating a diet high in fat, sugar and salt can slowly whittle away at your energy, leading to less motivation. When you replace unhealthy foods with healthy alternatives, you’re more likely to get a natural boost in both energy and motivation.

Also, unlike caffeine, a healthy diet will provide enough energy to power you throughout the day. If you have questions about what type of diet is best for you, speak with your doctor to address dietary restrictions as they apply to your specific healthcare needs.

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Telehealth Proves Its Worth

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Tips for Stopping a Panic Attack

Panic attacks are an extreme form of nervous system overload, and while most are harmless, they often feel anything but. Panic attack symptoms can resemble those of more serious health events, including heart attacks. In fact, many people even mistake panic attacks for cardiovascular concerns upon first experiencing an attack.

Treatment for Panic Disorders

Thankfully, treatment is available for panic disorders that lead to attacks. Therapy for panic attacks can work wonders for individuals who experience panic disorders. Likewise, medications may also be used for some individuals to ward off attacks before they start or to treat the symptoms of a panic attack to lessen its effects. No matter how you decide to treat panic attacks, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to determine the right course of action for your unique needs.

Non-Medicinal Options to Stop Panic Attacks

Additionally, there are some ways to stop a panic attack once it starts without the use of medication. Below are a few steps to consider:

Practice deep, measured breathing

During a panic attack, it can be easy to let your breathing become hyperventilated. Instead, try to focus on taking deep, measured breaths to avoid increasing your panic.

Recognize that you are experiencing a panic attack

As mentioned, panic attack symptoms can mimic those of more serious health events. By taking a moment to remind yourself that you are simply experiencing a panic attack and not something more serious, you have a chance to control your mind and reduce your feelings of panic.

Focus on an object

One of the things that often gets taught in therapy for panic attacks is the notion of focus. During a panic attack, focus tends to be on the symptoms in the moment. If you can take your focus off of the symptoms and place it on an object, this can potentially reduce your panic.

Get some exercise

If possible, engage in some light exercise when you feel a panic attack starting to come on. Exercise helps to regulate your breathing and heart rate. Additionally, it can take your mind off of the situation and relieve stress that may be adding to your panic.

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