ChiropracticHealth and Wellness

Managing your mental health as you return to work

North Shore Chiro blog - Managing Your Mental Health
Holidays are over, and we know what that means… it’s back to business!

Returning to work after a long period of rest and relaxation can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you know what’s coming. Replying back to hundreds of emails, sorting the new pile of documents on your desk, or maybe starting a new big project. Meeting these workplace demands combined with the pressures of your personal life, can bring a LOT of stress and anxiety.

Now, our bodies are designed to handle stress in short bursts, but not long term. Getting more stress than your body can handle can wear you down and make you sick, both physically and mentally. Once you reach your breaking point, it can bring about a myriad of symptoms.

Physical symptoms can be things such as headaches, neck/ back pain, fatigue, muscle tension, insomnia, and even stomach issues. Emotional symptoms on the other hand, include mood swings, nervousness, forgetfulness and poor concentration. Experiencing these symptoms while at work can be especially challenging, since you are expected to perform your best. More so if you are experiencing a number of symptoms all at the same time. If these begin interfering with work duties and personal life, it may be time to seek help from a chiropractor.

Why a chiropractor of all people, you ask?

All these symptoms are linked to the brain and spinal cord. A misaligned spine can cause nerve interference that impairs your ability to cope up with stress. This is why if you’re unable to handle stress like you’re used to, it could be a case of a dysfunction of the spine and nervous system [1]. And no one knows this topic better than a chiropractor.

By working with the spine, chiropractors correct the underlying problems and not just your symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments activate the parasympathetic system, which calms the “fight or flight” reaction triggered in the sympathetic system [2]. This helps release stored tension in the body, relieve the symptoms of stress and reduce the damage it deals. This means you will cope up with stress better, and have greater defense from those myriad of symptoms.

So rather than resorting to over-the-counter drugs, binge eating, drinking alcohol or smoking just to cope up with stress, why not give chiropractic a chance? Chiropractic can help your body function better with greater ease, and be more adaptable to stress. Through spinal correction, posture exercises and expert health advice we can help you take control of your mental health and meet the demands of your workplace and personal life.

Contact us today

If work stress is currently affecting your everyday life, then our team at North Shore Chiropractic would love to help you. Book your appointment and get adjusted today.

Sources

[1]Eric Chun Pu Chu, Michelle Ng. Long-term relief from tension-type headache and major depression following chiropractic treatment. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018 May-Jun; 7(3): 629–631.

[2]Arlene Welch, Ralph Boone. Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to specific diversified adjustments to chiropractic vertebral subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine. J Chiropr Med. 2008 Sep; 7(3): 86–93.