Building a Strong Body Part 2: Tao of Stress Management Series

In Chinese Medicine, it is said that the Jing, or Essence, is the physical manifestation of Qi (Vital Energy). Based on this principle, it is essential to have a strong physical foundation in order to sustain good energy levels, emotional stability, and mental clarity. So, effective stress management MUST start with building a strong body that can function harmoniously in any situation.

Water - The Foundation of Life

Adequate water intake is absolutely essential if you want to be less stressed out. It is almost too simple, but it can go a long way towards helping you feel better.

Why? Water is the fundamental element of life on this planet. Every single physiological process in your body depends on the presence of water. That is why your body is over 70% water.

We are literally walking oceans, teeming with life, with a complex and intricate ecosystem that needs water to survive and thrive.

Because water is so essential to life, when you don't have enough of it, your cells are literally stressed. Think about how it feels when you are breathing in exhaust from a truck, or when you are coughing and have difficulty breathing.

When you are chronically dehydrated, your cells are constantly undernourished and looking for nutrients. Simply put, this creates a lot of stress for your body.

And, when your cells are stressed out, so are you. It's that simple. Cellular stress is reflected as imbalance in your adrenals, testosterone, serotonin, ATP, insulin, cortisol, and every other biochemical substance that regulates your body.

Or, in more direct terms: Your virility, energy, mood, and metabolism all suffer when you don't drink enough water.

My baseline recommendation is a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of filtered/RO water daily. For example: Drink 2 when you first get up, 2 by lunchtime, 2 more by dinnertime, and 2 more before bed. It's that simple.

Spare the Caffeine

That cup of coffee sure feels good and so does that Coke at lunch. But what it does to your stress levels is another story. Let me explain how it effects your stress levels and hopefully you will see that too much coffee or caffeine is one of the best ways to ensure you have more stress than you need.

Caffeine causes your adrenal glands, to secrete stress hormones. These stress hormones wake you up by raising your blood pressure to bring more blood to the brain, and by releasing stored sugar into your blood, giving you a rush of energy.

But, higher blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar are not good for you. In moderation, caffeine can be useful and has some documented benefits. Unfortunately, most of us are far from moderate in our caffeine use.

Drinking caffeine is like consuming liquid stress. Doesn't life provide enough stress as it is? I don't advocate anything too extreme, so of course if you just like to have that morning coffee, please do so. But, try decaf or half-caf for a little while, and see if you notice your moods leveling out, your energy picking up, and your mental clarity increasing. Moderation is the key.

Build a Stronger Body and You Will Build a Better Life

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