Managing Stress

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 Stress isn't always bad for you. Stress can be beneficial by keeping your mind and body alert, or by helping you cope with a challenging situation. However, chronic stress can have a significant negative impact on the body. Stress hormones like cortisol are released by the body as a normal response to stress; when chronically high, cortisol can increase inflammation, weaken the immune system, and contribute to chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems, and digestive disorders.

In addition, chronic stress is strongly associated with mental health conditions which can, in turn, worsen chronic diseases or make the treatment of those chronic diseases more challenging. Stress often leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking, or substance use, which can in turn contribute to chronic diseases like obesity, lung cancer, and liver disease. Chronic stress can also prompt the brain to repeatedly seek out experiences that counteract the uncomfortable feelings associated with stress, contributing to the development of substance use disorders.

For those in addiction recovery, stress can contribute to relapse. High levels of stress can increase the likelihood of a person returning to substance use, because the brain may still associate the substance with relief from stress. Stress can also worsen symptoms of withdrawal, making it more challenging for individuals to quit substance use. This can create a vicious cycle, where the stress makes withdrawal symptoms worse, which in turn increases stress levels further.

Stress is an inevitable part of our daily lives. Our Bayani program helps you manage stress by teaching you to incorporate a variety of relaxation techniques into your daily routine. This can help decrease the negative effects of stress on chronic disease.

Restorative sleep refers to the two phases of sleep during which the body regenerates and heals itself. These phases - Stage 3 non-REM sleep and REM sleep - are crucial for overall well-being. 

During restorative sleep, the body repairs tissues, converts short-term memories into long-term ones, and helps restore and regulate levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, essential for mood stability and overall well-being. Restorative sleep plays a vital role in managing chronic disease by enhancing immune function, reducing inflammation, regulating hormones, managing blood pressure, easing pain, and promoting metabolic health. In addition, a restful sleep is vital for important daily cognitive functions such as decision-making, impulse control, and judgment.  

For those struggling with substance use disorder, a restful sleep can reduce the likelihood of relying on substances or behaviors for emotional regulation. Since sleep deprivation can weaken the pre-frontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-control - restorative sleep can help reduce cravings for addictive substances and make it easier to resist temptation.

Inadequate sleep can lead to impaired brain function, mood disorders, and physical health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and dementia. Our Bayani program integrates techniques that help promote quality restorative sleep, so that it can significantly benefit those with chronic conditions and improve overall quality of life.