Snakes on the Path to Happiness: A Short Story Illustrating the Physical Effects of Stress

It's just for a few more months . . . As soon as I finish this project, then I'll be able to take better care of myself. I'll join a gym, I'll walk instead of drive, I'll eat healthier foods, and I'll see more of my family and friends. Maybe I'll take an evening class, and I'll read that book on my shelf.

But for now I'll grind through eleven-hour days at work. I'll eat whatever is most convenient and I'll settle for a TV show to entertain me before I go to sleep. I'll force myself to wake up with the alarm clock and I'll make up for lost sleep on weekends. I'll only work six hours on Saturday. That's the best I can do . . . for now.

After reading this article, you might reconsider your priorities. Your decisions today are crucial to your short and long-term health.

Eric parked his car by the side of the road and looked down the old neglected path to his cottage retreat, nicknamed "Happiness". This four day vacation was supposed to be a celebration of the successful launch of his start up company. But the launch date had been delayed by one month and this "vacation" felt more like an interruption than an opportunity. There was so much to do. Eric's head ached and his mind spinned with ideas. He took a quick dose of asthma medicine, blew his nose (he had lived with this cold for months) and started down the path towards Happiness.

Regardless of the state of his professional life, Eric was committed to enjoy this short break before his return to the excitement and demands of his office. His girlfriend, Jen, awaited him, and their two best friends would join them tomorrow. Eric promised himself that by the time he finished the mile walk to the cottage he would be relaxed and ready for his first vacation in fifteen months.

Half a mile down the quiet, level path, Eric noticed that he was already tired and sweaty. He didn't give it much thought. He was accustomed to feeling slightly uncomfortable most of the time. He wiped his hand across his forehead and felt the roughness of his eczema. His heart pounded in quick bursts rather than the slow and steady rhythm he expected on this mellow day. His belly was full and bloated from the fried chicken he had devoured in the car. Despite the highly caffeinated jumbo-size soda that washed down his meal, he felt sluggish and exhausted from long term sleep deprivation. The trees and sky looked dull and lifeless, although it was a beautiful day and the trees were full and healthy. Eric's tired eyes saw the world in a hazy blur. He turned his head to look for the bird who chirped in the high branches of a tree and found himself straining his neck to make the simple movement. He turned his gaze back to the path.

Then he saw the snakes. They surrounded him.

A dozen small black and red snakes with strange ridges on their backs awaited him on the path. Poised in complete stillness, they looked slick and moist with a frost of dust on their rigid backs. Eric screamed and broke into a sprint. Every muscle clenched with effort. His eyesight sharpened as he bolted over a fallen tree and sped toward his cabin. He breathed in short gasps, barely inhaling before releasing hot jets of air. A low branch snagged his wrist and drew blood. The blood clotted immediately and left only a faint trickle to mark the spot.

Eric no longer felt tired—he felt scared and exhilarated. His legs felt light and strong as his arms pumped to speed up his escape. He was focused on his one goal of reaching the cottage before the snakes reached him.

After his quarter-mile emergency sprint Eric burst into the cottage and locked the door behind him. Jen jumped from the couch and asked what happened. Eric's breathing was shallow and quick while sweat poured from his body. He could barely hear Jen's question. Gradually his breathing deepened and he could think clearly enough to explain his fright.

"Snakes! Red and black! Ridges!" His mind was moving too quickly to form full sentences.

Jen quickly scanned the room for snakes. She was accustomed to occasional outbursts since Eric seemed to thrive in conflict and chaos. Seeing only the simple comforts of the cabin, she moved toward the dining area and motioned for Eric to sit with her at the table. When Eric glanced toward the table he screamed and fled out the door in another panic.

Jen looked at the table to see what had caused the second outburst. She saw the problem and yelled to Eric from the cabin door: "LICORICE!"

Eric stood about twenty feet from the cottage. His heart pumped wildly and his mind raced. He stared at his girlfriend as she approached him with a handful of red and black "snakes" pouring through her fingers.

"Licorice," she repeated softly as she reached Eric. "I accidentally dropped some on the path this morning. Licorice. Your favorite."

Eric's breathing slowed as he saw the big picture. He returned Jen's smile and reached for her hand. She held it firmly as they walked back to the cabin for their well-deserved and much needed vacation. Eric felt a familiar calmness in his body and mind as endorphins replaced the adrenaline streaming through his veins. As he shut the door, Eric wondered how often he mistook harmless situations for serious threats. He made a silent promise to discover the causes of his stress and to learn how to control his reactions before they controlled him.

• Digestion slows down or stops abruptly
• Muscles contract, ready for action
• Breathing speeds up
• Pupils dilate
• Heart races and blood pressure soars
• Blood clots faster
• Sugar and fat pour into the blood
• Perspiration cools the body
• Hormonal production shifts (increase of cortisol and epinephrine)

• Weakened immune system
  • Vulnerability to common illness
  • Difficulty in recovering from illness, wounds, and infections
• Eye strain
  • Poor vision
  • Glaucoma
  • Moisture imbalance
• Skin problems
  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Fungus
  • Psoriasis
  • Hives
• Digestive disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Diarrhea
  • Esophageal spasm
  • Spastic colon
• Allergies
  • Hay fever
  • Food sensitivities
• Muscle aches, strains, and tears
  • Computer-related: muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulders and neck, pain in the outer elbows and along the back of the forearms and hands, aching, numbness and tingling in the forearms and hands
• Headaches
• Temperal Mandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  • Teeth grinding
  • Jaw aches
• High blood pressure and heart disease
  • Plaque build-up
  • Blood clots due to thickened blood
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
• Respiratory Complications
  • Asthma
  • Feeling of suffocation
  • Shortness of breath
• Strained relationships and communication
• Difficulty being present with current situations
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Scattered thoughts
  • Lack of focus
  • Substance abuse
• Hormonal shifts
  • Mood swings
  • Skin problems
  • Bone density decrease in women

Consider scheduling a private consultation or massage, or host an A Piece of Peace  workshop at your business to learn about the causes and effects of stress and to practice a variety of simple solutions. Yoga techniques, breathing exercises, meditation, visualization methods, self-massage and acupressure can assist you in achieving balance and happiness. By consistently practicing a technique during periods of moderate stress, the technique becomes especially effective during periods of high intensity.

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