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What are your biggest health concerns? If you have suffered from heart disease, what have you learned about your health as a result?
Thanks for raising the issue of stress, Mary. I agree! We've all probably read news accounts of the recent study of women and heart disease by the National Institutes of Health. One piece I read stated that mental stress and depression affect women's hearts more than men's. I dug a little deeper to see why that is. It's a complicated dominoe effect, apparently: stressful emotions can lead to elevated hormone levels -- the hormones that activate the "fight-or-flight" response -- and those increased hormone levels cause higher blood pressure and a faster heart rate -- that in turn increase the work of the heart. (And when blood flow is already restricted, an angina attack can follow.) Whew! What works for you in managing or eliminating stress? Getting some physical exercise (like going for a walk) helps me sometimes when I'm confronted with a stressful situation. Getting the blood flowing and moving the muscles is good and I like to clear my mind with a walk too. What other things work for you?
Posted by: Linda Post Bushkofsky (Arlington Heights, IL)
Posted: 3/3/2006 1:02:14 PM
Congregation: Our Saviour's Lutheran
I think my biggest health concern, both for me and my working-age parishioners is the effects of stress on the body & spirit. Stress damages immune systems, contributes to digestive disorders, headaches, muscle pain, etc. And that is just the stuff that can be quantified....helping each other manage stress might be a good priority for women to have.
Posted by: Mary Sanders (Galt, CA)
Posted: 2/24/2006 6:02:07 PM
Congregation: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran
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Make a difference
What have you
done to support the relief efforts for survivors of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita? Here is your opportunity to
give through Women of the ELCA.
Why give through Women of the ELCA?
Because 100% of your donation will go directly to ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response.
By sending your contribution through Women of the ELCA,
collectively we can show the contribution women make to the relief efforts of the church.
Please send your check or money order
to:
Women of the ELCA
P.O. Box 71256
Chicago, IL 60694-1256
Write "hurricane relief" in the memo portion of your check.
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