SIMPLE WAYS OF KEEPING STRESS AT BAY
In the Stress Awareness month we couldn’t stay away from writing about the most endemic of all pathologies. Stress is the cause of illnesses such heart diseases, diabetes, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, alzheimer and many other wide range of health issues. Stress also causes reactions in human beings which are damaging behaviours like bad eating habits, smoking or drinking which end up contributing to an ill health and escalating to worse symptoms.
Breaking that connection between Stress, Illness and damaging behaviours requires learning how to deal with stress in the best way and still mentally healthy.
Five simple tips published by Harvard Medical School can help you do just that.
Staying positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol.
Meditation. The practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation's close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.
Exercise. When you are physically active your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only pushes away stress and lowers your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Unplug. Escape as much as you can from Social media, TV, the news and get into nature.
Find ways to take the edge off your stress. Do those things that you love doing such as hobbies, spend time with friends, tke a bath, listen to music or read a book to get a break from the stress in your life.
Stress doesn't have to ruin your life or your health. If you believe you are under a lot of stress maybe it’s time to switch off from it, change the environment to de-stress and reconnect with yourself in a neutral environment where you can be nurtured and relaxed.