Stress Is More Than Just Emotional
Educational Content Disclaimer: This article provides educational information only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content discusses general health topics and should not replace consultation with your licensed healthcare provider. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your diet, supplements, or medications. Dr. JJ Gregor is a Doctor of Chiropractic licensed in Texas and practices within the scope of chiropractic care.
I ask every patient the same question: "Are you experiencing stress?"
Nine times out of ten, the answer is: "No, Doc. I'm good. Life is good. The kids are fine. Job's stable. House is safe. I don't experience stress on a daily basis."
Then I examine them. And everything I find tells me the opposite. Their body is screaming stress signals.
Here's the disconnect: when most people hear "stress," they only think about the emotional stuff. The difficult boss. The relationship problems. The financial pressure. The traffic jams.
That's real. But it's incomplete.
You are a structural, chemical, and emotional being. You can experience stress in all three categories. And these different types of stress stack on each other, depleting your adrenal reserves faster than any single stressor alone.
The Three Types of Stress
Structural Stress
This is Chiropractic 101. Subluxations, misalignments, joint dysfunction. Your neck is out of position, creating neurological interference. That's structural stress.
Trauma creates structural stress too. You break your foot, you're on crutches, now you're walking wrong, your lower back goes out. Both the original injury and the compensatory dysfunction create stress signals your body has to manage.
Emotional Stress
This is what everyone thinks of. The psychological pressure. The relationship difficulties. The work deadlines. The family drama.
Real, valid, and often the hardest type to control because most emotional stressors come from other people or external circumstances.
Chemical Stress
This is the category most people completely miss. And it's often the biggest stressor in modern life.
Chemical stress is multifactorial: blood sugar dysregulation, dehydration, environmental toxins, household cleaners, pesticide residues, air pollution, water contaminants.
Your adrenal glands respond to chemical stress the same way they respond to emotional stress. A blood sugar crash triggers the same cortisol release as a difficult conversation. Your body can't tell the difference between a donut and a divorce.
The Two Biggest Chemical Stressors
In my practice, two chemical stressors dominate: blood sugar dysfunction and dehydration.
Blood Sugar Dysfunction
The average American consumes 120-170 pounds of sugar per year. That's not a typo. Pounds.
Every blood sugar spike followed by a crash creates a stress signal. Your pancreas releases insulin. Your blood sugar drops. Your adrenal glands release cortisol to bring it back up. This rollercoaster runs all day long for most people.
If you experience afternoon crashes, sugar cravings, shakiness between meals, or irritability when hungry, your blood sugar regulation is already compromised. Each of these episodes represents a stress event your adrenals have to manage.
I eat very little sugar compared to the general population. But even I eat too much sugar for optimal function. Most people are drowning in it without realizing the physiological stress it creates.
Dehydration
Most people are chronically dehydrated. They're not drinking enough water, and when they do drink, the quality often matters as much as the quantity.
I tell patients to drink Mountain Valley Spring Water whenever possible. Yes, it's more expensive. Yes, it's inconvenient. But mineral content and water structure affect how well your cells actually absorb and use the water you drink.
Dehydration isn't just "feeling thirsty." It's metabolic stress at the cellular level. Your adrenals have to compensate for poor cellular hydration, adding to your total stress load.
The Most Important Point
Stress is stress. Your adrenal glands respond the same way regardless of the source.
The good news: you have complete control over chemical stress. You choose what you eat. You choose what you drink. You choose when you sleep.
Fix those three things, and you've removed a massive stress burden from your system. Your adrenal glands will have the capacity to handle the emotional and structural stressors you can't control.
Sleep enough. Balance your blood sugar. Drink quality water.
Do those three things consistently, and watch how much better you feel.
Ready to optimize your health and performance? Dr. JJ Gregor uses Applied Kinesiology and functional health approaches to help patients achieve their wellness goals at his Frisco, Texas practice. Schedule a consultation to discover how nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle optimization can support your overall health.
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