In his busy city life, Mr. Zhang is one of many people whose life is full of stress and challenges. As a middle manager, he faced constant work pressure and deadlines on a daily basis. Once, Mr. Zhang suddenly exploded in anger during an important meeting due to an unexpected incident, and immediately felt chest pain and difficulty breathing. The incident prompted him to go to the hospital for a check-up, which showed that his liver function indicators were abnormally elevated.
Doctors explain that long-term stress and frequent mood swings may be one of the important causes of liver problems. The liver is a chemical factory in the body responsible for detoxifying and processing various hormones in the body, including stress hormones. When Mr. Zhang is emotional, his body secretes an excess of stress hormones, which require the liver to work twice as hard to process, thus increasing the burden on the liver, which may lead to impaired liver function over time.
Common long-term effects of psychological stress on health: not just emotional
Psychological stress, especially long-term stress and mood swings, has been shown to have a profound impact on human health. Stress not only affects the psychological state, but is also directly related to the development of a variety of physical diseases, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, abnormal glucose metabolism, and increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries.
1. Psychological stress and liver health
Stress hormones, such as cortisol, are secreted when the body feels threatened, and it helps the body prepare for "fight or flight." However, long-term elevated cortisol levels can lead to a variety of health problems, including an increased burden on the liver. The liver is responsible for removing excess hormones from the blood, and frequent mood swings require the liver to do extra work, which can lead to liver cell fatigue or even damage.
2. Psychological stress and sleep quality
Psychological stress is also often associated with sleep problems. Stress and anxiety can significantly affect a person's sleep patterns, leading to sleep disorders such as insomnia. Long-term sleep deprivation can affect the immune system and weaken the body's immunity, thereby increasing the risk of many diseases.
3. Psychological stress and the digestive system
Stress can also affect the digestive system. Stressful emotions can not only cause an increase in gastric acid secretion, but can also lead to abnormal intestinal motility, which can lead to digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Psychological stress and immune function
Long-term psychological stress has also been shown to suppress the body's immune system. When a person is in a state of stress, the body's immune response is suppressed, which makes the body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria, making it harder to fight infections.
The Art of Anger: Deep Breathing Techniques
When dealing with anger and stress, taking a deep breath is a simple and effective way to do it. Not only does this technique provide immediate mood relief, but it also helps maintain liver health in the long term. When emotions are aroused, the level of stress hormones in the body rises, and long-term accumulation can lead to liver dysfunction. By taking deep breaths, you can lower the concentration of these hormones and protect your liver from damage.
Practice deep breathing
Find a quiet place: Choose an environment with fewer distractions to help you focus.
Adopt a comfortable position: You can choose to sit or lie down, making sure your back is upright.
Inhale slowly: Inhale air deeply through your nose and count to five.
Keep breathing: Keep the air in your lungs and count to five.
Exhale slowly: Slowly exhale air through your mouth, also counting to five.
Repeat: Perform this sequence at least five times.
This breathing exercise not only helps to reduce emotional stress, but also increases blood oxygen levels and improves the functional efficiency of various systems in the body.
Nourishing the liver and protecting the liver: a healthy habit in daily life
To protect the liver from damage, in addition to managing emotions, some simple habits in daily life are crucial. Liver health can be significantly improved through proper diet, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications.
The effect of diet on the liver
Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods: For example, carrots, blueberries, and leafy greens are rich in antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the liver.
Limit processed foods and sugar intake: Foods high in sugar and fat can increase the burden on the liver and should be avoided as much as possible.
Moderate protein: Ensuring adequate protein intake, such as chicken, fish, and legumes, can help the liver repair and regenerate.
Increase physical activity
Regular exercise: At least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, can help increase metabolic rate and reduce the pressure on the liver.
Avoid sitting for long periods of time: Get up and move every hour to reduce the health risks associated with sitting for long periods of time.
Lifestyle adjustments
Maintain an appropriate weight: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for fatty liver and other liver diseases.
Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol is one of the leading causes of liver disease and should be limited or avoided.
Good sleep: 7-8 hours of high-quality sleep per night helps the liver to recover and regenerate.
With these simple but effective measures, you can significantly improve your quality of life and maintain the health of your liver. Regular deep breathing exercises and good lifestyle habits can not only improve an individual's overall health, but also ensure that the liver is adequately protected from chronic diseases caused by mood swings.