Building Resilience to a Stressful World

We’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” This glib and memorable articulation elucidates upon a very poignant concept — choosing to be mindful of the things that cause us to stress. What we may be less aware of, is that the purpose behind this attempt to be more cognizant of our stressors is less philosophical and more scientific. We are creatures of biology, and in this fact, our emotions heave much more than a heavy toll on our minds.

Our biological make-up is negatively affected as a result of stress, via increased levels of cortisol, otherwise known as the “stress hormone.” While cortisol plays an important part in getting us to react quickly to an incident where stress is merited (such as needing to run away from a dangerous animal in the wild), it is less helpful in a society where the stress becomes chronic, and therefore consistently elevates our cortisol levels. Consistently elevated cortisol levels decrease the functioning of our immune systems, impede learning, interfere with memory, and increases blood pressure, and raises cholesterol. The affects in tandem lead to an increase in heart disease, which is one of the more prominent killer-diseases in our modern society.

So we understand and agree, then: Stress = Bad.  

Okay, that’s all well and fine. Notwithstanding, the real problem of the times we are living in in relation to this is, well… the times we are living in. What happens when stress is everywhere? From a worldwide pandemic, to epic economic crisis, to rampant unemployment, to national uprisings regarding societal injustices, to political wildfires erupting seemingly daily, to literal wildfires ravaging the planet, these major historic events will forever shape the reality of the world we all continue to exist in. With so much palpable stress, how do we not sweat the small stuff? Because it’s NOT small stuff. None of it is. So what now?

 This word has gotten thrown around quite a bit in recent times, understandably, but we are truly living in unprecedented times. Unprecedented,” meaning, “uncommon, abnormal, and extraordinary.” However the COVID closures upon society may have affected us, we are all likely dealing with a very different society than the one we knew before the world closed down. And as we all work to navigate our new “normals,” it is indisputable that things may feel rather strange. The lack of familiarity alone is enough to cause anxiety. And when you mix that into all the other things happening around us, it’s nigh unto a perfect storm, in terms of stress levels. 

 Because of this, we’re here to remind you that SELF-CARE is needed, now more than ever.  

How does self-care make a difference in this world? How does getting an acupuncture appointment, or Chinese Medical Massage, or Fascia Stretch Therapy session, or Reiki appointment really change the planet? It’s simple. It changes YOU, and YOU are a part of this planet. Self-care, in any modality, will force you to slow down, be present, take a deep breath, and simply BE. And in a world where we are consistently dealing with new crises, maneuvering and operating at a million miles an hour, that small break in your day, or in your week, becomes a game-changer.

 • Acupuncture can treat everything from stress to anxiety to sleep problems to blood pressure. Studies show consistent treatments (2-4x/month) have the greatest efficacy and create the most long-lasting results.

• Chinese Medical Massage addresses physical discomforts as well as emotional imbalances through intentional touch and massage, creating elevated levels of endorphin, dopamine and oxytocin (chemicals directly correlated to happiness).

• Fascia Stretch Therapy (FST) can help treat pain, flexibility, range of motion, and, because its techniques are rooted in the central nervous system, nerve function is greatly improved. It targets fascia, which is found around joints, muscles, the spinal cord, arteries, veins, and even the brain.

• Reiki therapy can improve everything from energy levels to quality of sleep, while simultaneously creating a sense of zen and calmness that can be carried out into the world post-treatment. It is an energetic reset that can benefit both the emotions and the physical body.

• Cupping is used extensively by professional athletes and stressed soccer-moms alike. It’s the form of therapy that offers a unique pulling-away treatment for the skin, rather than the pushing-in therapies of massage. Beneficial for pain, relaxation, detoxification, and overall stress reduction, cupping improves circulation, which helps fend off heart disease.

 • If all that weren’t enough, we also offer world-class Health Coaching to help you identify bad habits, create distance from those habits, and start to shape healthier newer ones. Working with a health coach can make a huge impact on your success at eliminating unhealthy behaviors consistently present in your life and creating a whole new healthier, happier you.

By reintegrating into a consistent treatment schedule, you will begin to build a resiliency to the stressors of the world. And by creating a better version of yourself, and by becoming happier in the process, you are directly impacting the happiness levels of those around you.

Whether you’re in need of an emotional re-tuning, or working to decrease overall stress levels, Herb + Legend has a myriad of options for you to choose from, and we are open 6 days a week (Tuesday-Sunday) to give you the plenty of availability to make it an appointment or three. Click the “BOOK ONLINE” button above to schedule a treatment today!