Stress: The Silent Killer

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If you find that you have frequent headaches, fatigue, problems with sleeping or memory, stomach and digestive issues, or other general aches and pains, you might become more aware of what brings on these symptoms. One of the number one causes can be stress.

Don’t be embarrassed if that’s the case with you. It’s very common for stress to sneak up on you without even realizing it. A number of things can cause stress and they’re not always obvious. Perhaps, you get overwhelmed by things easily or maybe you have trouble with boundaries and learning to say no to others. You may be carrying around guilt, shame, denial, or anger that may be the underlying cause. It’s important to get to the bottom of what could be causing your stress and learn coping tools, otherwise, you can develop serious health problems (including heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes) which can get out of control before you realize it.

There is positive stress (eustress) and negative stress (distress). Examples of positive stress might be starting a new job, getting married, buying a house, or having a child. Examples of negative stress would be going through a divorce, a death in the family, abuse or neglect, or financial troubles. We all have some type of stress in our lives and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s the bad or negative stress that tends to hang on and cause all the underlying issues which is why we need healthy coping mechanisms.

If you feel as if you’re sick a lot or just not feeling well in general, you might stop and take a closer look at your life and how you’re handling things. You will be doing yourself a favor in the long run. If you’re having trouble identifying with what’s going on inside of you, then don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes, we have to reach out and ask for help.

Reaching for junk food, alcohol, cigarettes or just wanting to be alone seem like the simplest and most comforting things to do when you’re feeling stressed, but in reality, those things only exacerbate the issue. When you’re feeling the most stress is when you need to practice self-care the most. This includes exercising, eating a healthy meal, getting a massage, meditating, practicing yoga or stretching, having a sense of humor, getting together with a friend or family member, working on a hobby you enjoy, etc. It’s important to get into that habit. Don’t deny what you’re feeling, but instead take good care of yourself and get the help you need.

Ivy Tech’s Wellness and Fitness Center provides a number of tools to help you, including the number of opportunities for exercise, yoga, Paws ‘N Relax Pet Therapy, our kindness initiatives, and our Relaxation Lounge. This room has a variety of helpful coping tools including emWavePro Biofeedback for anxiety, mandala coloring books, a finger labyrinth, Zen garden, relaxation music and DVDs, along with a number of self-help and devotional books.

I am a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and can assist Ivy Tech students, faculty or staff with getting started in a healthier lifestyle and working towards improving negative stress. I am not a therapist, but I have personal experience on what stress does to your body, physically and mentally. I want you to know there is hope and you can feel better.

Remember, it’s time to put yourself first. You deserve it! 🙂

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Published by alutzel

I developed a passion for wellness after I experienced many years of health issues. Taking care of myself through exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress, is what led me to a career in wellness. I decided I wanted to help others learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I have been the Wellness Director at Ivy Tech since 2013. I previously worked as a Health Advocate and Personal Trainer at St. Vincent Healthy Lives and prior to that was a Fitness Tech for Ivy Tech and personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Dunigan YMCA. I also taught classes in senior living centers and conducted private personal training sessions for people of all ages. I have two Bachelor’s degrees from USI in Communications and German. I am a certified Health & Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches and received my personal training certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. I am also Reiki Level II certified and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine® and the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. I also have a background in mental health and certified in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid and completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and I'm a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor. In December 2024, I graduated with a Master of Education in Student Learning and Wellbeing at the University of Missouri. When I'm not exercising, I'm busy volunteering for several organizations including St. Vincent’s No One Dies Alone program. In 2011, I ran in the Marathon for the Cure in Washington, D.C. and raised over $6,200 towards breast cancer research. My mother, who passed away from breast cancer, was my inspiration for doing this. I also competed in several triathlons and love to travel and spend time with my 16-year old daughter, my friends, and my dog and three cats. I love animals and started a pet therapy program at Ivy Tech called Paws ’N Relax to help students manage stress and anxiety during final exams. At Ivy Tech, we are more than just a Fitness Center. We believe in treating the body as a whole and working on body, mind, and spirit. We have programs that focus on the nine area of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, creative, environmental, and occupational. We offer a Relaxation Lounge and emWavePro Biofeedback program to help manage anxiety. Stress is a contributor to many health issues and we want to make sure you have tools to manage it better. We want to help you live a long, happy, and healthy life. Update: In the Spring of 2023, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis which is a rare auto-immune disorder that causes rashes and attacks the muscles. I have developed severe muscle atrophy, pain, and weakness. I am still exercising, eating healthy, and managing stress now more than ever. There is no known cause for this condition but it is treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. I am just taking it one day at a time and continuing to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.

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