Stress Reduction Techniques for Better Bone Health

Stress contributes to weight gain, heart disease, illness, and mental health concerns, while also interfering with important musculoskeletal processes like bone remodeling. Chronic stress negatively impacts nearly every system in our bodies, and taking action to reduce and avoid stressful influences in life is among the most beneficial steps we can take to safeguard our physical and mental health.

So, what causes the negative cascade of consequences when we experience physical or emotional stress? When cortisol is released, our body goes into fight or flight mode. Our energy stores are activated, focus and alertness are increased, and non-essential functions like digestion and musculoskeletal recovery are suppressed. While this physiological response is necessary when a bear is attacking, non-life-threatening work, social, and environmental stressors trigger the same fight or flight response, leading to chronic elevation of cortisol levels and compounding health issues unless we make stress reduction a priority. 

Much like our proactive approach to bone strengthening in Philadelphia, adopting proactive stress-prevention strategies is a wonderful way to support long-term bone health. By taking steps to reduce the negative influence of chronic stress in our lives, positive benefits emerge. Whether you are hoping to prevent future consequences, or you already have an existing condition like osteoporosis, these bone-healthy, stress-prevention strategies are for you. 

Mindfulness Practices Promote Cellular Wellness

There are numerous ways you can introduce mindfulness into your life. You can infuse your day with frequent breaks to practice awareness, focus on your breathing, or commit to daily practices such as yoga or pilates to reduce the power of stress in your life. 

If you are new to practices such as meditation or deep breathing, there are several free apps and guided videos online to help you learn more about mindfulness and presence. Since our stress response is directly linked to our perspective, a busy or worried mind can contribute to a state of chronic stress; by practicing mindfulness techniques regularly, overwhelming feelings and experiences can gradually transform into a calmer outlook, reduced tension, and a healthier you. 

Choose to Make Healthier Lifestyle Decisions

Much like our perspective and mindset can lead to a stress response, our daily habits are also a major influence. Junk food, lack of exercise, social isolation, substance abuse, and excess screen time can all lead to increased stress levels. Take an honest look at your current lifestyle – are there any simple daily adjustments you can make that might improve your outlook, reduce your stress levels, or enrich your overall health? 

Seek Professional Support to Identify & Resolve Stressors

Sometimes, life stressors are difficult to resolve alone. If you think that your stressors may be linked to mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, counseling may be able to help you uncover the source of your concerns and reduce your overall stress levels. An experienced counselor can teach you about beneficial coping strategies, provide emotional support, and connect you with other ideas to help you reduce or manage your stress levels more effectively. 

Support Your Musculoskeletal System With OsteoStrong

The stress-relieving strategies above pave the way to a healthier foundation. In harmony with the holistic stress-prevention ideas outlined here, we help our clients improve bone density in Delaware County, PA with customized plans to stimulate bone growth, enhance structural integrity, and reduce musculoskeletal risk factors. 

Our comprehensive bone-strengthening plans promote whole-body wellness with a single, 10-minute weekly session. Best of all, our osteogenic loading program is pain-free, sweat-free, and appropriate for any age and fitness level. 

Interested in learning more about the evidence-based benefits of OsteoStrong? Our experts are your all-in-one resource for factual information and insights to help you maintain stronger bones for life. If you’d like to give OsteoStrong a try, contact us for a free first session today!