Monday, April 15, 2013

National Stress Reduction Day

April 16th is National Stress Reduction Day.







Did you know?



  1. Stress has been called the "silent killer" and can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain and an irregular heartbeat.
  2. Stress is linked to the top 6 causes of death:  heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis and suicide.
  3. Stress can cause hair loss (not turn hair gray).
  4. Stress can cause erectile dysfunction and infertility problems.
  5. Stress can make acne worse.
  6. Stress causes abdominal fat to accumulate and also enlarges the individual fat cells.
  7. Stress increases your risk of stroke substantially.
  8. Stress increases inflammation in the body.
  9. Stress is a cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  10. Chronic stress can damage, shrink and even kill brain cells. (Stress makes you stupid.)
  11. Stress affects the immune system's ability to fight infection.
  12. Stress is linked to sleeping disorders.
  13. Stress is linked to depression.

How can you manage your stress and improve your well-being?


  • Identify the source(s) of your stress - Try to solve the problem that is causing you stress, or learn to cope with it positively. Don't avoid, deny, or withdraw from the problem, because it will continue to exist and affect you.
  • Access social support - Talk to someone you trust, whether it be a friend, spouse, family member, or counselor. Social support has been found to reduce stress and improve mental and physical well-being.


  • Learn and practice relaxation techniques - Take the time to slow down and relax. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, visualization, and yoga reduce stress and improve health.
  • Be physically active - Exercise reduces stress and improves health and well-being. Do something that you enjoy doing (like walking, jogging, swimming, biking, yoga, or playing the Wii) and you will reap the stress-reducing benefits immediately.
  • Get enough sleep - Sleep helps the body to repair itself and reduces stress. A lack of sleep can give you more stress.
  • Balance your time - Time management skills can help you find balance, order, and control in your life - all of which reduce stress. Procrastination increases stress.
  • Don't use drugs or alcohol - Drugs temporarily numb you to stress, but in the long term they undermine health, well-being, and can worsen stressful problems, rather than fixing them.
  • Avoid caffeine & energy drinks - Stimulants keep the body from relaxing and can overtax your body. It is also important to know that you can overdose on caffeine!




365fitt is about training for the event called LIFE, focusing on physical, nutritional and emotional wellness through lifestyle adaptations.  Kathy is available for personal training and wellness consultations and corporate wellness.  365fitt invites you to participate in a Healthy Active Living trip to incredible destinations.  Please visit 365fitt for more information.  Live 365fitt!



5 comments:

  1. Thank you for this! I am on a quest to find out why my brain function is not normal over the past 3-4 months and I am coming to the conclusion it is STRESS! Thanks for the tips and great blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, would love to hear MORE on how your brain function is not normal...anything specific you wish to share? Feeling scattered is a big one right off the top of my head.

      Delete
  2. stress reduction may seem that there’s nothing you can do about stress reduction. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your career and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress reduction management. Managing stress reduction is all about taking charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with problems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When we realize that we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and that we are responsible for our outcomes, and that we do have a choice and that we are in control...we can change stress for the better. Good luck!

      Delete
  3. stress hypnosis app App combines four state of the art audio hypnosis sessions by Darren Marks, one of the UKs leading hypnotherapists, with video interviews and tips to ensure you achieve your weight loss goals with ease and confidence.

    ReplyDelete