Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Please accept my condolence on the loss of your husband. Indeed, you have been under great stress.
Our automatic stress response developed as a way to protect them from predators and other threats. Faced with danger, the body kicks into gear, flooding the body with hormones that elevate your heart rate, increase your blood pressure, boost your energy and prepare you to deal with the problem.
When stress starts interfering with your ability to live a normal life for an extended period, it becomes even more dangerous. The longer the stress lasts, the worse it is for both your mind and body. You might feel fatigued, unable to concentrate or irritable for no good reason. Chronic stress causes wear and tear on your body, too.
Forms of chronic stress, such as depression and low levels of social support, have also been implicated in increased cardiovascular risk. And once you're sick, stress can also make it harder to recover.
The body responds to each type of stress in similar ways. Different people may feel it in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, and vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them.
Linda, no one can replace your husband or fill the void left by his passing. It will take time to adapt to life without him. But, there are ways to help you cope.
Get proper health care for existing or new health problems.
Stay in touch with people who can provide emotional and other support.
Recognize signs of your body's response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
Exercise regularly-just 30 minutes per day of gentle walking can help boost mood and reduce stress.
Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
Explore stress coping programs, which may incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle exercises.
We are here to help in any way that we can.
Maryann
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Hello Linda,
Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Please accept my condolence on the loss of your husband. Indeed, you have been under great stress.
Our automatic stress response developed as a way to protect them from predators and other threats. Faced with danger, the body kicks into gear, flooding the body with hormones that elevate your heart rate, increase your blood pressure, boost your energy and prepare you to deal with the problem.
When stress starts interfering with your ability to live a normal life for an extended period, it becomes even more dangerous. The longer the stress lasts, the worse it is for both your mind and body. You might feel fatigued, unable to concentrate or irritable for no good reason. Chronic stress causes wear and tear on your body, too.
Forms of chronic stress, such as depression and low levels of social support, have also been implicated in increased cardiovascular risk. And once you're sick, stress can also make it harder to recover.
The body responds to each type of stress in similar ways. Different people may feel it in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, and vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them.
Linda, no one can replace your husband or fill the void left by his passing. It will take time to adapt to life without him. But, there are ways to help you cope.
Get proper health care for existing or new health problems.
Stay in touch with people who can provide emotional and other support.
Recognize signs of your body's response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
Exercise regularly-just 30 minutes per day of gentle walking can help boost mood and reduce stress.
Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
Explore stress coping programs, which may incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle exercises.
We are here to help in any way that we can.
July 11, 2016 - 8:52amMaryann
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