Acute & chronic stress negatively affect your mind, body, spirit and quality of life.
Are you STRESSED OUT?
How to fight back against stress to reclaim your peace, self-love and joy; with courage.
Stress is the body’s response to a perceived threat, or danger. The body often reacts to stress with fear and thrusts us into flight or fight mode - also known as the stress response. The adrenals produce cortisol and adrenaline which puts the body into a state of high alert. What does this look like? The pupils dilate so they can receive more light, and more visual stimulation; the heart rate increases; the breathing becomes shallow; the blood is diverted to the extremities for movement; the digestive system shuts down. This works very well in the short term and when you have to react quickly, like when faced with a cougar or bear!
However, in our everyday lives, when the stress response does not shut down, we experience chronic stress. Consistent long-term stress leads to varied and serious health problems. Some of those health conditions cause serious illness, and death.
Join the the Movement
A Personal Statement from Andrea Callahan
Survival VS Thrive. Most of us have been trained to kick into survival mode when we are under duress. In fact, if you are like me, you wear this skill like a badge of honor. Our motto, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." "I perform better under pressure." "I kick into high gear under stress." Is your head held high and your chest stuck out a little further as you read these words in agreement? Yup! You may not like it but you thrive in survival mode.
The problem with living in survival mode, we can't thrive for long in that state. We can only do enough to make it through. In survival mode our state of mind is conditioned to focus only on the bare minimum, to make it through the moment. Further, when that duress is caused by illness, the lens from which we pull our ability to thrive becomes smaller and quickly loses focus.
Acute stress shocks your system. When you have a traumatic experience it halts your ability to temporarily function at full capacity. Acute stress may thwart success until the threat is over. However, chronic stress does the most damage because it negatively impacts your ability to succeed over a prolonged period of time. Chronic stress often makes it a challenge to manage day-to-day symptoms. Chronic stress is generally more harmful to us than acute stress.
Chronic stress steals ingenuity and creativity. It fights diligently against your ability to have clarity and make good sound choices. Long-term stress steals your energy, your confidence and your ability to soar.
Chronic stress causes simple everyday decisions to become life-changing declarations. Decisions become become critical to your very well-being. Poor decisions become detrimental in the long-run. They can immobilize us and prevent us from thriving.
Poor decisions are emboldened to take over your life, further they catapult your life into chaos and uncertainty. Stress causes cloudy judgement which digs you deeper into negative emotions and depression. Choosing unwisely can cause you question your potential, your value, and your worth. It weakens your ability to believe in yourself and possess the confidence necessary to recover.
Limited options shapes your mindset. Chronic stress kills your spirit. It alters both, how you see the world and your place in it. It zaps your energy cutting off your supply source of the motivation and inspiration needed to thrive. Chronic stress negatively impacts hope and feelings of aspiration.
Acute stress triggers poor decisions and those poor choices further prolong chronic stress. And if you don't rebound quickly with clarity, hope, faith, determination, persistence, forgiveness and self-love, you will undoubtedly spiral faster with no end in sight.
You may not be able to control acute stress and the mental, psychological and physical shock that may result, but you can recover in the short term. However, chronic stress and the long-term mental pressure kills your hopes and dreams. This is where despair begins.
I am here because I am have been both a victim and a victor over stress. Over the years, I have endured episodes of acute stress like a rape as a teenager, homelessness, finding my mother dead in her apartment and life-threatening illnesses, for examples. I have also managed chronic stress as a single mother with a demanding career. Our paths may be varied but we are each traveling similar roads.
Please know, that you do not have to endure this space on your own. There are too many of us in this space to leave it to you to fend for yourself. You are not alone. I am here. We all are here. Together.
This journey may be challenging but in the end, I hope you will be enlightened, inspired and in possession of tools to help you navigate your acute and chronic stress.
Be well in sisterhood,
Studies have proven chronic stress decreases your immunity, it negatively effects your memory and your emotions. It has been known to lower bone density, and increase pain levels. Other stress related problems include muscular tension, skin problems such as rashes, eczema, or psoriasis. In addition, stress causes gastrointestinal related issues. Pulmonary concerns are also prevalent in the lives of those struggling with stress including asthma.
Have you or anyone that you know had an episode(s) of severe worry, distress or fear. For many, a perceived stressor may cause increased heart rate and shortness of breath - an anxiety attack.
The S.M.A.C.K. Attack
A Guide to Fight Back Against Self-Sabotage, Mindlessness, Acute|Chronic Stress & Karma
Andrea Callahan's S.M.A.C.K. Attack
Do Not Allow Stress to Rob You of Your Health and Well-Being
Stress, as you probably know, is the body’s response to a perceived threat, or danger. The body reacts when fear is allowed to catapult you into flight or fight mode.
Here a few things you should know about stress...
Acute VS. Chronic Stress
Know the difference and how each impact your life in varied ways.
Daily Stress
How to fight against common daily chronic stress symptoms.
Managing Stress
Lifestyle, mindset and the habits to help you cope with the effects of stress.
Unmanaged Stress
Can lead to obesity, diabetes heart disease and even cancer.
Signs & Symptoms of Stress
How to identify warning signs and manage effects of stress.
Major Health Risks
How to fight against the prolonged stress that can cause disease and illness.
Stress Hormone
Understanding the damage it causes and how to decrease its’ production.
Sexual Drive
Understanding how stress impacts your sex drive and performance.
Manage Your Perception, Interpretation and Response to Stress
Stress may not be something you can manage in its' entirety. Some believe you can't manage it at all, you must live through it. However, managing your response to stress is totally under your control.
Learn strategies, techniques and best practices to cope with stress in order to live our optimum life.
Identify How Stress Shows Up in Your Life
Click the + sign to revel the symptoms
□ Frequent headaches
□ Clenching of the jaw or jaw pain
□ Teeth grinding
□ Stammered speech or stuttering
□ Trembling or shaking hands or lips
□ Muscle spasms
□ General Body aches (Back pain, Neck pain, Shoulder tension and pain)
□ Dizziness and/or light-headedness
□ Sweating
□ Feeling flushed or blushing of the facial cheeks
□ Sweaty and/or cold feet and/or hands
□ Dry mouth
□ Frequent illness, such as flu, colds, or infections
□ Hives, skin rashes, itching
□ Digestive problems (Heartburn, Stomach pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Constipation, IBS)
□ Labored or difficult breathing
□ Chest pain, heart palpitations, rapid pulse
□ Frequent urination not otherwise explained
□ Exhaustion and fatigue
□ Unexplained weight gain or loss
□ Panic attacks
□ Anxiety
□ Excessive worry
□ Depression
□ Loss of concentration
□ Loss of focus
□ Problems with learning and cognitive ability
□ Racing thoughts
□ Brain fog
□ Forgetfulness and memory problems
□ Difficulties with making decisions
□ Overwhelm
□ Burnout
□ Restlessness
□ Nervousness
□ Nervous habits (Nail biting, Fidgeting, Feet tapping)
□ Angry outbursts
□ Hostility
□ Frequent bouts of frustration
□ Mood swings
□ Irritability
□ Edginess
□ Overreaction to petty annoyances
□ Frequent crying spells
□ Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
□ Changes in appetite, with unexplained increases or decreases
□ Binge eating or eating behind stress
□ Poor sleep, including insomnia, and nightmares
□ Obsessive or compulsive behavior (Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Impulsive shopping, Cigarette Smoking)
□ Loss of productivity at work
□ Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
□ Communication problems
□ Social isolation and withdrawal
□ Lack of sexual desire or interest
Practice Using Healing Weapons to Fight Back and Win
Weapon: Get enough sleep
Weapon: Make healthy food and drink choices
Weapon: Be mindful, meditate, yoga
Weapon: Prioritize doing what matters first
Weapon: Spend time with yourself doing what you love
Weapon: Talk with someone you trust
Weapon: Set boundaries, learn to say "NO"
Weapon: Be assertive
Weapon: Make a gratitude list
Weapon: Write a list of strengths
Complimentary Special Bonuses to Help You Manage Stress & Live Your Best Life
Stress Coping Skills Stress Assessment
Gauge how you manage stress and the symptoms of chronic stress.
101 Stress Reducing Techniques
Learn how to interpret stress to save your mind, body, spirit and will to thrive.
Signs of Stress Checklist
A checklist to check symptoms of the mind, mood and body.
Your Diet & Stress
Learn how eating well helps you manage your stress symptoms.
Pre-Order Your Copy of S.M.A.C.K. Attack Today
S.M.A.C.K. Attack Pre-Launch
S.M.A.C.K Attack Book
Stress Coping Skills Assessment
101 Stress Reducing Techniques
Signs of Stress Checklist
The Collaboration Between Diet and Stress
TODAY: $24.97 $17.97
Reserve your copy. Pre-order today.
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The SMACK Attack is for women (and men) who are ready to accept, process, manage and thrive from life's interruptions. We invite you to join the movement.
