Wednesday, May 13, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Fit For Sisters Andrew Loscutoff Columnist The problem with stress To say we9re all car- rying a little more stress around would be an under- statement. Whether it9s the anxiety at the grocery store when seeing a conga line of other carts coming toward us, fear of germs on the takeout box, or watch- ing the nightly news with its infatuation with death and disease, it9s not an easy situation to handle. As many sit under the COVID-19 cloud low levels of stress are actu- ally controlling thoughts, actions, and reactions. The body, mind, and soul all take stress in and process it in different ways. Stress to the body is a signal 4 a signal is associated with a few chemicals and hormones. Glucocorticosteroids are the class of chemicals that are released under stress. Whether this is the stress of seeing the market crash, or the stress of actually taking a crash, the body knows no difference. The chemicals are the same. These chemicals produce acute adaptations within the body. Cortisol and epi- nephrine are released. They tighten down blood vessels, slow digestion, and shut down other unnecessary tasks in order to be ready to dart away from danger. This is an evolutionary response. No one is running away from their TV when a scary politician makes a political statement; this is largely an overreaction because legiti- mate danger isn9t present. Part of the problem is also how stress affects the mind. The chemicals hijack our rational mind, predomi- nately by deregulating the prefrontal cortex (the ratio- nality center of the brain) and amygdala (which pro- cesses fear and reactions). With these two areas under stress, a person begins to make snap judgments. They are more moody, less empathetic, and trend towards irrational thoughts. It is said that under stress, people take bigger risks: they gamble more, and they judge circumstances as far more threatening than they may actually be. These chemicals also take their toll on the body. First, stress dumps insulin into the bloodstream. This gives a high blood sugar response followed by a crash. Upon the crash, the body craves sweets, and snacks to try and rebound. It9s easy to see how the snacking-and-binging pro- cess can be initiated. The blood vessels being con- stricted causes high blood pressure; this makes it a lot easier for heart disease to take its victims. Tense mus- cles lead to aches and pains. There are reasons to be stressed; everyone has the same list right now. There are, however, a lot of irra- tional, and sensational fears being propagated. Separate the things you can con- trol, and the things that you can9t. Taking time to enjoy the beautiful world around us, without news flashes and conversations with the neighbor that turns into a who9s-more-worried battle can help. Try breath- ing exercises, an enjoyable book, cooking, and craft- ing. All are ways to reduce stress. Exercise and diet play a role; keep the body healthy and the mind and spirit will follow. Above all else, know how little worrying is going to help, and that enjoying the ride will be the only way to get through. PHOTO COURTESY BARRAGE STUDIOS A hiker injured by an accident with a machete had to be airlifted out of the forest west of Camp Sherman. Machete injury forces rescue A man injured himself when he struck himself in the leg with a machete while hiking in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area north west of Camp Sherman on Saturday evening. The 28-year-old hiker called 911 at about 7:08 p.m. The man was traveling with a companion and his fellow hiker immediately wrapped the wound and they began hiking out, but were a couple miles from the trailhead. Jefferson County Deputies and search and res- cue (SAR) personnel from the Camp Sherman Hasty Team responded to the scene along with medics from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department, an OSP Trooper, and a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. The man walked as far as he could and met the first arriving units on the trail who provided advanced Say Aaahhh... We’re OPEN & practicing again on a limited basis! Please call for an appointment as we will be prescreening patients prior to treatment. - Excavation - - Utilities - - Site Prep - - Septic Systems - - Fire Support - - Road Building - - Land Clearing - Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben 541-941-1604 ~ Serving Sisters Since 1993 ~ Jeremy Roberson 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters 9 — CCB#213401 — medical care. A wheeled lit- ter was hiked in and the man was transported to a waiting ambulance at the trailhead. He transported about a half mile by ground ambulance to a waiting Air Life Helicopter who transported him to St. Charles Bend at about 10:15 p.m. The Jefferson County Sheriff9s Office thanked all those involved with the res- cue and reminded the public that SAR assets are stressed during the COVID-19 pan- demic restrictions.