Based on the last 400 Health Assessments I have performed on white collar business workers, it seems to me, the greatest threat to continued good health and optimum <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/health-pp.png"><img class="alignright wp-image-2760 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/health-pp-300x226.png" alt="health  pp" width="165" height="124" /></a>performance* (within this demographic) is the imbalance of lifestyle (work) stress, and the disproportionate balance in mood bio-chemicals.
However, the media has us believing the main reasons for declining white collar workers good health are:
<blockquote><strong><span style="color: #008080;">1) The consumption of excessive fat and sugar, coupled with,</span></strong>
<strong><span style="color: #008080;">2) A sedentary lifestyle.</span></strong></blockquote>
Based on my testing results, my opinion is that declining health within this demograph<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/brainnnn.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2759 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/brainnnn-223x300.jpg" alt="brainnnn" width="127" height="171" /></a>ic, is more likely due to the link between hormones (in the body) and neurotransmitters (in the brain) constantly in a chronic state of imbalance. While most people seem to tolerate and even thrive with increasing work demands, it could also be said that most have inadequate counter –balancing tools, both during work hours and certainly post work hours.

&nbsp;
<blockquote><strong><span style="color: #993366;">*Optimum performance refers to one’s sustained best output at work, while leaving work (physically &amp; mentally) with enough in the tank (again, physically &amp; emotionally) to enjoy relationships, family, animals, and your athletic interests.</span> </strong></blockquote>
This post (Part 1) discusses the emotional and the physical result of the cumulative effect of lifestyle (work specifically) stress. I’m talking about the bio-chemical imbalance, which is leaving an impact on behaviour and physicality. In my next posts (Part 2 &amp; 3) I’ll talk about the hormones involved and tools to help balance those work stressors, which I have witnessed as successful in the past.
So what did those 400 Health Assessments actually show me? <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/beeeeee.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2757 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/beeeeee.jpg" alt="beeeeee" width="236" height="150" /></a>

&nbsp;

The most significant revelation to me was the link between those who assessed with high (systolic) blood pressure, elevated (non-fasting) blood glucose, and/or low triglycerides along with a candid reflection on their personal lifestyle questionnaire (which is a confidential self-assessment on how you actually feel), resulting in quite low moods. These results were quite confronting for many, as they were seemingly “getting the job done”.

&nbsp;

The realisation that they had little left in the tank (both emotionally &amp; physically) once they left the building highlights the body’s default of using of coping mechanisms which continue to add to their growing ill-health.
To counter increasing and often unrelenting work pressure and expectations, both in the body and brain we have two significant bio-chemical responses.
<blockquote><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>1) Adrenalin (body), and, </strong></span>
<span style="color: #008080;"><strong>2) Serotonin (brain).</strong> </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #008080;"><em><strong>Adrenalin</strong></em></span> is a hormone (along with norepinephrine and dopamine) released from the adrenal glands that sit on top of your kidneys. Adrenalin is one powerful hormone and is <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Epinephrine-ampule.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2755 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Epinephrine-ampule-200x300.jpg" alt="Epinephrine-ampule" width="150" height="225" /></a>only slightly varied to the drug speed on a molecular level. Its natural action is to respond swiftly to a potentially dangerous flight or fight situation. And, it works a treat.
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Adrenalin:</strong></span>
• Increases in strength and power.
• Increases our concentration (even eye sight) and problem solving capacity – at speed.
• Increases confidence.
• Drives ready to use sugar into the blood stream for sharp energy.
• Increases heart and breathing rate without fatigue or perception of pain.
It also works in tandem with cortisol (a glucocorticoid hormone) which is necessary to shut down (inhibit) less important bodily systems when in need of an energy booster – like your reproduction, digestive and immune systems.
So, if used wisely and sparingly, adrenalin can be a real a cracker!
When under a constant heightened strain at work, it’s likely your adrenalin pump, and therefore cortisol production will be switched to overdrive. If this is happening day after day, with little counter-balancing, this is when behaviour and physical health can uncharacteristically change. Not good.

&nbsp;
<span style="color: #008080;"><em><strong>Serotonin</strong></em></span> is a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan (an amino acid), and is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), blood platelets, and the central <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ser.gif"><img class="alignright wp-image-2756" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ser-300x225.gif" alt="ser" width="227" height="170" /></a>nervous system (CNS). It makes us calm, centred, happy and tolerant. It assists in maintaining a steady stream of energy, facilitates our appropriate appetite, and promotes daily motivation and verve.

&nbsp;
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Serotonin:</strong></span>
• Makes us content and optimistic.
• Offers the funny side of life.
• Makes us more productive and creative.
• Makes us understanding and charitable.
• Contributes in conjunction with melatonin to a quality night’s sleep, beating the alarm, and bouncing out of bed.
So basically it’s a superstar in health maintenance and keeps you somewhat nice 24/7. And, I guess the trick towards continued emotional wellness (particularly for when you leave the building) is fine tuning the balance of both <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Adrenalin</strong> </span>and <strong><span style="color: #993366;">Serotonin</span></strong>. This balance involves learning to recover from both good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress), whilst at work and outside of work.

&nbsp;
What can you expect when you are living in this constant state of imbalance?
Below are <strong><em>common behaviour and physical traits</em></strong> linked with sustained excessive adrenalin/cortisol levels, alongside diminishing serotonin levels. Note that 80% of behaviour is more reflective of outside work hours.

&nbsp;
• Reduced tolerance.
• Communication shutdown – dismissive, particularly at social gigs.
• Forget to eat and reach a point of crave–like starvation.
• Feel apathetic and empty.
• Sleep is distorted, and thus wake un-rested – the cycle continues.
• Complain of restless legs when sleeping.
• Unusually pessimistic.
• Warmish and slightly red face.
• Headaches and jitters.
• Little interest to exercise (lethargy) – worn out at the end of a day.<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/braaaaa.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2758 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/braaaaa-300x300.jpg" alt="braaaaa" width="271" height="271" /></a>
• More shallow breath than normal.
• Diminishing sex-drive.
• Niggles in joints – knees and lower back head the list.
• Diminishing posture – shoulders hunched and pelvis tilted slightly forward.
• “Pick me up” food options like caffeine, sugar, and alcohol become far more appealing (if not necessary).
• A losing battle to stop at 1 alcoholic drink.
• Overeating in a sitting as “switch off” hormones became ineffective.
• Self-sabotaging habits – poor food choices, smoking, alcohol, etc
• Function with two gears – flat out (hectic energy) or stop – arousal ascent &amp; descent is steep.
• Almost a cold turkey or homesickness (blue) feeling.
• Pancreatic, Liver, and Cardio-vascular ill-health concerns.
While we all suffer from one or two of these every so often without cause for concern, with prolonged presence many of these ‘signs and symptoms’ will encourage your body into a further adrenalin overdose and serotonin deficit. It’s a common cycle.
There are many reasons for these behavioural and physical traits to come about – like travelling and time zone changes, irregular nutritional consumption, irregular sleeping patterns and lifestyle (outside work) stress BUT work challenges seem to over contribute.

&nbsp;

How do we know this?  Well, a lot of these issues seem to disappear when we’re on holidays!

&nbsp;

The long-term danger of excessive adrenalin stimulation being left on overdrive (from <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/fhfhfh.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2753 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/fhfhfh-300x108.jpg" alt="fhfhfh" width="342" height="123" /></a>repeated, unrested work pressure) it becomes increasingly difficult to counter-balance the hormones and can then lead to an adrenal crash - resulting in burnout and ensuing ill-health (as in a howler - heart attack or the likes).
So how do we counter balance the demands of work pressure (which is accepted and probably won’t change) AND have a fulfilling life outside of work? We attempt to dial down adrenalin/ cortisol production and crank up serotonin, whilst accepting one’s work demands! And I think this is possible for all.
In ‘PART 2’, I’ll cover the 5 major players involved with balancing mood, along with 5 PROVEN WAYS to help balance work demands - enabling your best “flow” on and off the field.
<blockquote><strong><span style="color: #993366;">1. Adrenalin</span> – heightened awareness.<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/heartss.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2588 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/heartss-300x180.jpg" alt="heartss" width="197" height="118" /></a></strong>
<strong><span style="color: #993366;">2. Serotonin</span> – enduring motivation.</strong>
<strong><span style="color: #993366;">3. Cortisol</span> – prioritises systems.</strong>
<strong><span style="color: #993366;">4. Melatonin</span> – the nocturnal opposite to serotonin – in producing our best sleep quality.</strong>
<strong><span style="color: #993366;">5. Insulin</span> – blood glucose balance plays a huge role in mood and sustained energy. </strong>

&nbsp;</blockquote>
BP
NOTE – I am currently presenting this topic in the format of “on-site” presentations to corporate groups, if you would like further information, please feel free to make contact with me on the details below.