<h1 style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #993366;">CASE STUDY - DOES LIFESTYLE STRESS, WORK, OVERRIDE YOUR LIFESTYLE HEALTH?</span> </em></strong></h1>
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<h4><strong><span style="color: #993366;">PART 1/5 - IS LIFESTYLE STRESS AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH, AND IF SO, HOW SO?</span></strong></h4>
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<blockquote><span style="color: #008080;">“Mate, I’m going hard at work, but when I leave, I’m toast.  I just don’t feel like I’ve got anything left.  I find myself crashing on the couch not interested in, well, anything.  I catch myself ‘needing’ snack hits just to get moving, or, if I’m honest, even to hold down a conversation.  I guess snack pickups are probably a<img class="alignright wp-image-3843" src="http://www.bprcchealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sero3-300x270.png" alt="sero3" width="242" height="218" /> better option than alcohol, which, for some reason, one is never enough.  Then there're days when the thought of something even more ‘chemically’ dynamic seems the only way to get any sort of output.  I know this is not a good choice, but it does pull me out of a ‘dark’ hole, for a while anyway. Frustratingly, I always seem to be carrying a sniffle, and can you tell me what’s up with waking at 1 am, tossing and turning for an hour or two, usually processing stuff I’ve gotta do tomorrow, then feeling well underdone when the alarm rings.  I’m trying to get some training in, but the Physio just can’t seem to fix this damn calf strain and this weird lower back ache.  I’ve noticed my belt now feels a little tighter which I’ve blamed on my wife for buying full-fat milk! So, mate, that’s where I’m at, I’m battling on, but just can’t seem to get it going.  Deep down I know I’m not playing my A-Game, well, 24/7 that is”. </span></blockquote>
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<h5><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>CASE STUDY – OBSERVATIONS OF 100 SUBJECTS</strong></span></h5>
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<blockquote><span style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong>12 MONTHS</strong></span> – Three face to face assessments 16 weeks apart. </span>

<span style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong>100 SUBJECTS</strong></span> – mixed social demographic (61% male)</span>

<span style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong>AGE</strong> </span>– 84% (30-54yrs)</span>

<span style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong>WEEKLY WORKING HOURS</strong></span> – 92% (45-60hrs)</span>

<span style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong>DAILY SITTING HRS</strong></span> – 94% (14-15hrs)</span>

<span style="color: #008080;"><b><span style="color: #00ffff;">PARENTS </span></b></span><span style="color: #008080;">– 91%</span></blockquote>
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<h5><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>OBJECTIVE</strong></span>: <span style="color: #008080;">Compromised health via lifestyle ‘stress’ (work) CAN be balanced when practicing three SIMPLE lifestyle hacks.</span></h5>
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<h5><strong><span style="color: #993366;">Purpose and Action:</span> </strong></h5>
1)      Confidentially assess physical health status and it’s relationship to psychological health status.

2)      Determine the influence on health courtesy of ‘excessive’ alcohol, stimulants and (illicit) drugs.

3)      Learn the four key components in balancing lifestyle stress.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3842" src="http://www.bprcchealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sero4-300x168.jpg" alt="sero4" width="300" height="168" />

4)      The practice of three ‘stress’ balancing lifestyle hacks (featured later in this series) – while conceding significant changes in lifestyle, namely;  work, are not possible.

5)      Observe and assess the result of practiced lifestyle balancing hacks (overtime).

<strong><span style="color: #993366;">Hack</span> </strong>– overused buzz word in social ‘health’ media at the moment. It just means practicing a healthy tip.

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<h5><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></span></h5>
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The entire case study relates and revolves around to <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>two natural highs</strong></span>, controlled by hormones and neurotransmitters.

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<blockquote>Sustainable ‘feel good all-day’ <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>serotonin</strong></span>-driven high,

and</blockquote>
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<blockquote>Short-lived 'feel King for a minute’ <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>adrenalin</strong></span>-driven high.</blockquote>
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<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>Starting results had many subjects either falling dreadfully <span style="color: #993366;">low in natural high #1</span>,<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/batt.png"><img class="  wp-image-3485 alignright" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/batt-300x150.png" alt="batt" width="222" height="111" /></a> </em></strong></span></h5>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>or, </em></strong></span></h5>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>living in an extended and unsustainable portion of their day <span style="color: #993366;">amped on natural high #2</span>.</em></strong></span></h5>
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<h5><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>THE ASSESSMENT</strong></span></h5>
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<strong><span style="color: #993366;">Physical assessment:</span> </strong>
<blockquote>Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar/ Insulin response, Triglycerides, and  Cholesterol.

Serotonin – Dopamine, Adrenalin – Cortisol (performed by experts).

*I didn’t assess weight or body shape, believing one simply feels comfortable, or they don’t.</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Psychological assessment</strong>:
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<blockquote>Rating Scale – Energy levels (motivation); particularly once leaving work, Concentration, Tolerance, and Sleep quality.

Food, alcohol, and drug interests.

Perception of wellness – illness and injuries.

*With permission, on eight subjects, I also received a rating scale made by a colleague.</blockquote>
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<h4><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Based on starting results I placed <em>most</em> subjects into two defined groups.</strong></span></h4>
<span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>** It should be noted that many I placed in Group 1, held Group 2 status for a period of time. </em></span>
<h4><span style="color: #993366;"><strong> </strong></span></h4>
<blockquote><strong>1)      </strong><strong><span style="color: #993366;">GROUP 1</span> – LOW IN NATURAL HIGH # 1 – <span style="color: #008080;">SEROTONIN/ DOPAMINE</span> EMPTY</strong>

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<strong>2)      </strong><strong><span style="color: #993366;">GROUP 2</span> – HIGH IN NATURAL HIGH # 2 – <span style="color: #008080;">ADRENALIN/ CORTISOL</span> OVERLOAD</strong></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #008080;"><strong><em>*The three successful lifestyle hacks were practiced by both groups (see Part 2/4)</em></strong></span>

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<h5><span style="color: #993366;"><strong>GROUP 1 – LOW IN NATURAL HIGH # 1 – SEROTONIN/ DOPAMINE EMPTY</strong></span></h5>
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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>What is serotonin?</strong></span>

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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, meaning it all happens at the end of nerve fibres.  It is derived from the amino acid (protein) tryptophan (more on this later) and is mostly found in your gastrointestinal tract.  This ‘day-time’ neurotransmitter is largely responsible for the following;

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Maintaining your pleasant ’good’ mood, tolerance, stabilising your appetite, temperature <img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3846" src="http://www.bprcchealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sero.jpg" alt="sero" width="259" height="194" />regulation, sexual desire, and very much involved in quality deep sleep.  It offers continued healthy muscles, particularly in the recovery from harder work, and promotes focus over a longer period.

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Serotonin is related to another pleasure-seeking neurotransmitter, dopamine; with serotonin playing a role in controlling excessive dopamine release and response.  Managing and understanding that too much of a good thing is not always a good thing.

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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>(Some) Subjects low in serotonin assessed as below;</strong></span>

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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>GROUP 1 </strong></span>- <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Physical results</strong> </span>(I'll explain reasons for these results in Part 2&amp;3/4))
<blockquote>Blood Pressure – low to normal (90-110/60-80)

Blood sugar – high (6.0-8+)

Triglycerides – low (&lt;10mg/dL)/ Cholesterol – high (6.0+mmol/L)</blockquote>
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>GROUP 1</strong> </span>- <strong><span style="color: #993366;">Psychological results</span></strong>
<blockquote>Intolerant, particularly after 2 pm.

Short and dismissive, again more common after lunch.

Short of energy post work, physically and emotionally.

Craves sugary, and or caffeinated food choices.<img class="alignright wp-image-3872" src="http://www.bprcchealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/burnout-90345_960_720-300x228.jpg" alt="burnout-90345_960_720" width="292" height="222" />

Low sex drive and low priority placed on everything but work.

Often challenged with allergies, nasal phlegm, colds, and gut pain.

Struggles in falling asleep and wakes tired.

Complains of recurring tendon strains or joint pain, resulting in low motivation for exercise.

<u>Alcohol becomes necessary to unwind. </u>

<u>Smokes, and can be open to illicit drugs. </u></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Example of extreme cases of low serotonin production.</strong></span>

<em>US Montana Prison Study 1993</em>
<blockquote>Poor sleep = withdrawn &amp; suicidal

Poor un-real food = angry &amp; resentful<img class="alignright wp-image-3845" src="http://www.bprcchealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sero2-300x238.png" alt="sero2" width="313" height="249" />

Confined with little movement = stressed &amp; restless

Minimal sunlight = depressed &amp; aggressive

No purpose = disorientated &amp; listless</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Coming up in PART 2</strong></span>

* Results (some symptoms) of GROUP 2 - High in natural high adrenalin/ cortisol.

* Effects of excessive alcohol, stimulants, and drugs.

* Four key components in balancing both groups.

* The three tested lifestyle hacks that increased serotonin and decreased cortisol.

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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #00ffff;"><strong><a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/3490-2/">TAKE ME TO PART 2 - NATURAL HIGH # 2</a></strong></span></h3>
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