Small Changes For Health

We all have stress in our lives, and stress affects each of us differently. Recent studies have linked stress to the following negative health problems: high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart disease, peptic ulcer disease, migraine headaches, alcoholism, poor blood sugar control, depression, and weight gain. In addition to these serious health problems, stress can make you feel anxious, uptight, and angry. Learning to identify and manage the stressors in your life can increase your energy, give you peace of mind and improve your overall health. So don’t let stress control your life; take control of your stress by taking a break from it.

Your Small Change: For this week, make sure that you take a 15-minute break every day to do something that you enjoy.

More Information

The first step to dealing with stress is to recognize when you are stressed.  Some early signs of stress may include tension in your neck or shoulders, clenching of your wrist, or anything else that feels abnormal.  Once you learn to recognize your signs of stress, you can begin to cope and deal with your stress.   According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the best way to deal with stress is to change how you react to stress.  Below you will find some great ways that can help you change your reaction to stress and reduce your stress levels.

Tips for dealing with stress

• Don’t worry about things you can’t control, like the weather.
• Prepare to the best of your ability for events you know may be stressful, like a job interview.
• Try to look at change as a positive challenge, not a threat.
• Work to resolve conflicts with other people.
• Ask for help from friends, family or professionals.
• Set realistic goals at home and at work.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Eat well-balanced meals and get enough sleep.
• Meditate.
• Get away from your daily stresses with group sports, social events and hobbies.

Source:  American Academy of Family Physicians

To find out just how stressed you are, please visit the MayoClinic.Com and take their free “Stress Assessment” quiz.