Stressed Out

6 signs that you're seriously stressed out

Physical symptoms of stress can be varied and unusual. Here are a few ways to find out if you're over the edge.

1. Vomiting. Dry-heaving (or retching, in medical terminology) is one way that stress can rear its ugly head, more often as a sign of anxiety. Stress and anxiety can also trigger vomiting and a condition called "cyclic vomiting syndrome," a condition in which people experience nausea and vomiting over an extended period of time — often, starting at the same time every day. Dealing with anxiety-induced dry heaves or vomiting starts with getting plenty of rest and drinking water (vomiting can cause a loss of electrolytes), and then finding ways to calm down or eliminate the source of your stress, such as practicing walking meditation. 

2. Hair loss. There are multiple reasons that your hair could be falling out, from genetics to medications. But stress is one of them. Among the conditions associated with stress-induced hair loss is alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells attack hair follicles, causing hair to fall out. Another condition triggered by stress that has even more extreme results is called telogen effluvium, which is basically characterized by a sudden loss (up to 70 percent) of hair. This condition can be difficult to link to stress because the hair loss can occur months after a stressful event. 

3. Nosebleeds. There is some debate as to whether nosebleeds are triggered by stress, but studies have shown that, in some cases, patients who experience nosebleeds get them after finding themselves in stressful situations. This could have something to do with the spikes in blood pressure that are very common when you're stressed out. Keep your blood pressure in check by drinking hibiscus tea. Simply escaping the daily hubbub for a while to brew it could be enough to lower your stress levels a bit. 

4. Memory loss. If you notice you can't seem to remember the details you just discussed during a stressful meeting, it could be an effect of your shrunken hippocampus. Chronic stress can expose the hippocampus, the area of the brain that controls your short-term memory, to excessive levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And that can inhibit your brain's ability to remember things. Dealing with the root cause of your stress is the best way to get your memory back, but until that happens, write down important bits of information and find other ways to supercharge your memory. 

5. Weakened immunity. Perhaps the most noticeable effect that stress has on your body is a weakened immune system, and that happens for a couple of reasons. First, stress triggers the release of catecholemines, hormones that help regulate your immune system; prolonged release of these hormones can interfere with their ability to do that. Second,  stress shrinks your thymus gland, the gland that produces your infection-fighting white blood cells, and it damages telomeres, which are genes that help those immune cells reproduce. A good way to deal with stress and boost your immune system is to exercise; if you're so stressed out that you can't fit in those 30 minutes a day, try these other tricks for boosting immunity. 

6. Excessive sweating. Everyone knows that you sweat more when you're stressed out, but some people suffer from hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, particularly of the palms and feet. Yoga and meditation can help reduce stress-related sweating, and if you think you might be suffering from hyperhidrosis, find a physician who specializes in the disorder. You may be helping more than just yourself. Stress sweat can give off certain signals that people around you can detect, possibly causing them to be stressed out as well, as a result.

SO, practice distressing by meditation, taking a warm bath, drink a cup of tea, going for a walking in nature and bulking up on healthy fruits and vegetables… plus a multi vitamin never hurts. 

Household plants that help clean in-house pollutants.

Below is a list of 10 household plants that were found to be effective at removing volatile organic compounds (VOC)s in your home:

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) - This plant which does best when placed in a shady spot, can remove both benzene and trichloroethylene. It is poisonous, so keep out of the reach of children and pets. Also, avoid overwatering.

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures) – This vine proved adept at filtering formaldehyde. It can be placed virtually anywhere in a home and requires a thorough watering about once a week.

English ivy (Hedera helix) – Effective at removing formaldehyde, this plant thrives in cool, moist air. It too is poisonous, so keep it away from pets and children.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium) – This plant, which can produce wonderfully bright-colored flowers, can filter both benzene and formaldehyde. It does best in direct sunlight.

Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) – Just like the chrysanthemum, this plant features bright flowers and requires lots of sunlight. It removes both benzene and trichloroethylene.

Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii') – This hardy plant filters formaldehyde and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) – The bamboo palm is effective at removing formaldehyde. Its soil should be kept moist, and it needs to be placed in indirect sunlight.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii) – Effective at filtering formaldehyde, this popular plant does best in a cool environment (around 65 degrees) and out of direct sunlight.

Red-edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata) – Capable of growing up to 15 feet in height, this household plant is a good multi-tasker: it can remove both benzene and trichloroethylene. It is best suited for a temperature of 75 degrees or so.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – This plant filters formaldehyde and doesn’t need a lot of upkeep.

It takes a village

To establish an effective plant-based air-pollution control system, you’ll need more than one plant in your home or office. Use one potted plant per 100 square feet of home or office space. The plants also should be in containers with diameters of six to eight inches.

With the advent of more energy-efficient homes and offices, which often reduce the flow of air between the inside and outside of a building, it makes more sense than ever to be concerned about indoor air pollution. By using the plants listed above, you can help create a healthy environment in your house or place of work.