Election fever: how stressed are you?
Election news, election speech, election fever is coming at us day in and day out and sure, it’s great we have a chance to have our say, but it’s also a stressful time.
Did you know that there’s a clear link, established by South African physiotherapy researchers, between stress and low back pain?
In the run-up to the election on 8 May, be proactive to avoid stress-related pain:
- Make time for activities that destress you: walking in the autumn air with your spouse, playing with the children, or doing a sport you enjoy.
For more on the link between low back pain and stress, go to:
Election fever: work it out!
As the elections move closer and we look forward to casting our vote, we’re subjected to a constant stream of negative messages from those who want to influence our vote.
And this can bring you down. Stress and depression have clear links to physical pain; exercise is one well-supported way of fighting this, as physiotherapy researcher Dr Romy Parker notes in research which she and her colleagues published a couple of years ago.
- Fight stress and stress-related pain by getting out of the office and doing some solid physical activity – anything from a hard-driving session in the gym to an hour in the garden will have a positive effect! Consult your physiotherapist if you’re unsure how to begin.
For more on the research by Dr Parker, go to:
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/323/431
|
Election fever: sleep easy If you’re feeling a bit of election burn-out as the great day when we get to speak our minds approaches, you could consult your physiotherapist about an exercise programme which science shows will help in many ways, not least helping you to sleep better: ● Endurance activities like walking, biking, jogging and swimming and power training “augment physical and mental resilience; improve the quality of sleep; enhance self‐confidence, energy, endurance and relaxation; and, in general, decrease physical complaints,” writes Michel Probst in a published paper. |
|
For more on physiotherapy and mental health, go to: https://www.intechopen.com/books/clinical-physical-therapy/physiotherapy-and-mental-health Election fever: fun beats stress! The election on 8 May is our chance to have our say and exercise our hard-won right to vote. But there’s no denying that the run-up involves rising stress levels – and stress can trigger or exacerbate chronic pain in necks and backs and joints. ● Doing activities like crafts which involve both mind and body is a great choice for destressing – woodwork, pottery, knitting and others all reduce depression and often increase social engagement in a way that other ‘relaxing’ activities like TV don’t. Combine craft activities with regular exercise such as running, walking or gym, and you have a recipe to beat the blues. For more on the benefits of crafts in banishing stress, go to: https://theconversation.com/how-craft-is-good-for-our-health-98755 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077 Election fever: just breathe Every time we have another election, we celebrate living in a country where everyone can have their say. Still, there’s no question this has been a very full year, with lots to worry about, from the economy to the weather. ● If you’re feeling the effects of anxiety, stress and even depression, consult your physiotherapist about breathing techniques which can have a significant positive impact on your mood and health, according to 2017 research! For more on the research linking mental resilience and breathing exercises, go to: |
Adverts
Expressed views are not those of SASP
Advertising does not equate to endorsement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE?
CONTACT US