“If you knew what was happening to your body when you’re stressed out, you would freak out.” Mark Hyman, MD

Most chronic illnesses have stress as one of their core issues. Stress creates leaky gut, which is the root cause of chronic illness, and it wreaks havoc on all our major organs. I had to learn to get my stress under control, or I couldn’t get well.

Chronic stress can affect every physical and psychological system. We all deal with stress as we go through our day. It’s when it accumulates that it becomes an issue. It’s important to release your stress every day so that it doesn’t build up.
Chronic stress impacts the following:

Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
It breaks down the immune system and makes us susceptible to infection
It contributes to “leaky gut,” which leads to inflammation and pain. Stress releases inflammatory substances that travel through your body and attack body tissues. Stress causes disease.
Stress causes muscles to tighten, and contract and over
Over time stress creates back and neck pain and headaches
Stress increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxins, viruses, and poisons to flow through.
Stress causes us to crave high-sugar, high-salt foods that release dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical that leads to more cravings.
Stress causes increased sugar cravings. Sugar is a toxin, as addictive as cocaine, and it feeds cancer and causes inflammation. It turns off Ghrelin, a hormone that regulates appetite.
Stress messes with your memory and brain functions. Stress impacts mood, causing anxiety and depression.
Stress causes weight gain and increased belly fat.
Stress causes digestive issues.
Stress reduces blood flow to the skin causing skin disorders (Psoriasis, Eczema, acne)

This is a little desk book that includes many of the 2-3 minute stress exercises I have learned to do through out the day. These exercises send blood to the brain and release the “steam” off the instant pot of the stress in your body. Keeping this guide handy on your desk will encourage you to break up your day intemittently with one of these exercises to keep the stress at bay.

“I wish I had a book like this when I was working. I did not realize I was under stress. This book brings awareness of what stress really can do. This book informs what chronic stress can do to a person’s body. It is a fun read. There are many fun pictures. This book is easy to understand. Cheryl and John wrote a book that can help you manage the stress in your life. This book comes from a sincere heart.” Hwan Ae (Wendy) Kori Sedona Mago Retreat Center