#16: Are You Dealing With Toxic Stress?

Watch the video above or read the transcript below... 

Hey there, lovely people! Welcome to another episode of Crazed to Calm with yours truly, Karin Del Maestro. I'm thrilled to be here with you live today after a bit of a hiatus. October was all about 31 days of calming tips, but I wasn't able to join you live then. But hey, I've got my cup of tea, notes in hand, and I'm ready to dive into today's intriguing topic.

So, buckle up because today we're delving into the world of toxic stress. I can practically hear you asking, "Karin, what's toxic stress? How do I know if I'm dealing with it?" Well, fret not, my friend. We're going to unpack all of that and more.

But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of toxic stress, let me share a little something personal. If you see me wiggling a bit today, it's not a dance move. Nope, I've got a dodgy hip, courtesy of Letrozole. Ah, the joys of hormone-blocking medications. But fear not, I'll be having surgery soon to sort it out. Now, let's get back to today's episode.

Mark your calendars, folks!

This Saturday, the 11th of November at 11 am Eastern time, I'm calling in the angels for our last class of the year—the Crazed to Calm Workshop. If you're into those angel numbers, this is for you! Click here, for all the deets and how to sign up. Trust me, you won't want to miss it.

Now, back to the juicy stuff. Toxic stress—what's the deal? There are two main types of stress, my friends. Acute stress, the fleeting kind you feel when someone cuts you off in traffic, and chronic stress, the long-lasting kind that can stem from major life events like a cancer diagnosis or other health issues.

And here's the kicker—chronic stress can wreak havoc on various aspects of your health. We're talking about your physical health, relationships, sleep, you name it. But today, we're going to unravel the mystery around one burning question:

Does toxic stress cause cancer? Hmm, let's find out.

Now, I know many of you have probably wondered, like I did, "Does stress cause cancer?" You Google it, and the answer seems to be a straightforward no. But hold up, my friends. Don your Sherlock Holmes hat and grab that magnifying glass because there's more to the story.

Stress itself doesn't directly cause cancer. However, chronic stress can lead to inflammation. And guess what? Inflammation is the root cause of many serious diseases, including cancer. So, managing stress becomes a superpower in keeping yourself healthy and reducing your risk of getting sick. Pretty mind-blowing, right?

But here's the twist. When stress hits, do you find yourself reaching for comfort food, maybe some sweets or a drink? It's a common human experience, no judgment here. But here's the real kicker—stress-induced bad habits can also contribute to inflammation and all those pesky side effects.

Now, let's connect the dots. If we can manage stress better, we can potentially manage those side effects, boost our energy, enhance our immune system, and, most importantly, reduce the risk of recurrence. It's like hitting multiple birds with one stone, and who doesn't love efficiency?

So, how do we do it? Well, my friends, it's all about controlling what we can control. And let me tell you, it's not about stopping stress from happening (still figuring that one out). Instead, it's about how we react to it. As your stress management coach, I'm all about giving you the tools to navigate this wild ride.

And here's a little gem for you: You are not a crockpot! We don't stew on things; we either take action or let it go. Stewing leads to stress, stress leads to inflammation, and we want none of that.

So, repeat after me, "I am not a crockpot."

Now, the golden nugget of wisdom I want to leave you with today is this: Focus on what you can control. It might not feel like much on some days, but it's a game-changer. The holidays are around the corner, and we all know how stressful they can be. But imagine feeling less stressed by simply shifting your focus to what you can control—your actions, reactions, thoughts, and self-care.

If you're intrigued and want to dive deeper into stress management, join me this Saturday for the Crazed to Calm workshop. It's a game-changer, and I promise you won't want to miss it. 

>> CLICK HERE << to get all the details and save your seat!

Thanks for hanging out with me today, whether live or on the replay. Remember, you're not alone, and I'm here to support you. Drop any questions below, and I'll catch you in the next episode. Until then, take care and stay calm! Bye for now.