Fun/Facts
A good belly laugh shuts off the flow of stress hormones which is triggered by our biological
"fight or flight" response when we feel stress, anger or hostility.
Stress hormones weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure and
increase the number of blood platelets which can clog arteries.
Laughter increases the amount of natural killer cells which destroy tumors and
viruses, lowers blood pressure, and increases oxygen in the blood.
Caregivers are 63% more likely to die than non caregivers
regardless of their health status prior to care-giving.
Massage lowers blood pressure and assists in the movement of lymph through the
lymph system. Our lymph system carries cellular debris and toxins out of the body.
The
impact of caregiver stress is becoming a national healthcare
epidemic.
There
are an estimated 50 million caregivers in the United States. Research
has shown that these 50 million individuals are 63% more likely to die (compared to non-caregivers) from the stress of their
care-giving.
((The
Caregiver Health Effects Study, Schulz, Richard, Ph.D. and Beach,
Scott R. Ph.D. JAMA December 15, 1999—Vol. 282, No 23 pg 2215)
Research
also shows that caregivers have an increased susceptibility to
disease which peaks 6-18 months after care giving is completed. Annual
business losses of $11.4 to 29 billion
(Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (June 1997). The MetLife Study
of Employer Costs for Working Caregivers
Caregivers
lose more than $650,000 over the course of a lifetime.
(Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (June 1997). The MetLife Study
of Employer Costs for Working Caregivers)
Do
not adapt psychologically as well as their peers
(Spousal Caregivers of Dementia Victims: Longitudinal Changes in
Immunity and Health Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K. PhD et al,
Psychosomatic Medicine (1991) 53:345-362
Increased
incidence of depression, anxiety, hostility, obsessive-compulsive
symptoms and hysteria for up to 3 years after giving care
(Caregiver Depression After Bereavement: Chronic Stress Isn’t Over
When It’s Over, Bodnar, Joy C. and Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K.,
Psychology and Aging 1994 Vol. 9. No. 3, 372-380.)
The body registers each stressor as if it were the first time
encountering it. Stress reduction for caregivers is a NECESSITY
not a luxury.
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