Reduce Stress and Live Longer - 5 Things You Can Do Today to lessen Stress Effects on Your Health

Did you understand that the biggest percentage of stress is due to our thoughts? Around 90 percent of the stress we experience is fueled by out thoughts. If we are able to learn to control how we think about situations we can immediately reduce our stress levels. But that is easier said than done for many people. How can you just turn off your thoughts? We all know people who never seem to feel stress. Nothing seems to bother them and often they even seem to look for stressful situations. If stress is so dangerous, what are they doing?

Stress does several different things to the body. This is a natural reaction to threatening situations. You may have heard of the 'fight or fight' response. That is a response the effect of a chemical reaction your body initiates in response to something that the person perceives as threatening. Stress, in a few situations could be beneficial, but today we have been bombarded by things, people, and situations that trigger these chemical reactions. If we cannot act on them they act on us. There are several this that you can do to calm the strain triggers and prevent that release of stress induced chemicals that could be killing you.

Take a Walk - walking is beneficial in so many ways we are still discovering its power. Once you 'walk away' from stress, your system is forced to refocus its energies to the muscles used. This is basically the 'flight' portion of the stress response. Walking away is what your body is telling you to accomplish. When you take a walk, you put time and space between you and the stressful event or situation, you untie those muscles by putting them to work, you even our your breathing and bring a rejuvenating way to obtain oxygen to your cells. It also can help you let off steam, burn calories, and lower your blood pressure.
Read a good novel. Your ideas are one of the most dangerous enemies you have. You thoughts will not only cause new stress, but they can expand on the strain you are already feeling. Mental poison, we all know, can result in depression and increase anxiety. Refocus with a good book. Not one that gets you stirred up over politics or world events, but an excellent old-fashioned work of fiction that's interesting enough to pull you in and demand your attention. You could be surprised to learn that the problem you have already been fretting about is quickly forgotten as you turn the pages.
Relax with a good soak. Ease tense muscles and soothe the senses with a nice, soaking bath. Pour in the scented bath oils, light some candles, and lean back with an awesome cloth on your own head. Turn your ideas to whatever brings a smile to your face. Think about the hot water caressing you and easing away all of your tensions. This requires a little work, but it works, otherwise why would a lot of people spend so much time soaking in a tub?
Play with your pet. Studies have proven that interaction with pets lower blood circulation pressure and release stress. We don't really know why, exactly, but the simple action of petting your pet seems to instantly calm the stress reaction. A sense of pleasure and clam begins to seep through you. After all, you pet can sense if you are upset, and we don't desire to upset them. They are family, and perhaps the reason a lot of people have beloved pets is due to what they provide back. Unconditional love, without judgment or conditions. We are able to all work with a little of than occasionally.
LAUGH. Laughter has shown time and again to be among the finest cures for stress and depression. Laughter really is the very best medicine.  Additional info  into and out from the lungs, lowers blood circulation pressure, and relieves tight muscles. A good laugh will leave you feeling cheerful and give you a renewed resolve. In the end, if we can laugh at something it can't be all that bad. Perhaps that is why some people react to bad situations with laughter. Laughter that's contagious and erupts at only the right time can be your body and mind fighting contrary to the stress of a situation.
Choosing one, or several, of these options will let you lower your stress. Lowering your stress can decrease the harmful effects on your body, mind and spirit. Stress causes premature aging by increasing wrinkles and worry lines. It has even been proven recently, to be associated with dental problems, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and dementia. Chronic stress is debilitating and any actions you can take to help reduce it in your daily life will help ensure you stay at your healthy best and ready to face those stressful things that simply cannot be avoided.

ADVISORY: I am not a doctor or physician. My information is founded on research for personal improvement and I share that information in the form of this article. Please see your doctor in case you are having any thoughts of depression because of increased stress, or in case you have any other symptoms your body is overly stressed and looking for help. To learn more on stress see Science Daily or other resources written and produced by professional medical persons.

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