Stress IS Dangerous

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, two-thirds of all office visits to family doctors are due to stress-related symptoms.

Stress is an inevitable part of life. Our bodies are created to handle acute stress—a short-term type of stress that temporarily influences our normal state of well-being. Once the situation passes, the body returns to homeostasis. Chronic stress, however, is long-term stress that is sustained over a long period of time. Medical studies have linked how chronic stress weakens the immune system and causes illness (a disease or period of sickness affecting the body and/or mind.)

What can you do to cope with chronic stress? I have a few tools to help me reduce stress that I’d like to share them with you:

1. Eat right. Make sure you eat enough healthy foods. Sometimes you may indulge in junk food when you’re feeling sad, and although a little bit is okay, too much can be bad for your health. I use moderation as a guide. This helps me avoid the extremes of too much and not enough.

2. Sleep. Stress often disrupts sleep patterns. Under severe stress, you may want to sleep constantly, or you may find it difficult to sleep because of worry about things you can’t control. Research suggests that sleep is important in helping us process information and function effectively. So, if possible, try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

3. Get regular exercise. Physical exercise has been found to positively affect your brain functioning, so when you exercise you not only help your body but your brain. Exercise has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety. So, get off that couch and take an intentional walk. (Intentional walking involves setting a distance and/or duration.)

4. Find emotional support. Seek out positive people who encourage and nourish you. Limit time spent with negative people because they zap your energy.

5. Understand that stress is a normal reaction When you fully understand that stress is a normal reaction in today’s world you take away the control it has over you.

Did you know a British study shows the more we check our smart phones, the more stressed we become. STOP! When you’re feeling stressed, put down the phone and take a walk in a park. It’s a good thing to do.

What tools do you use to reduce your stress?