Keeping Healthy: Reducing Stress

In today's busy world of juggling work, careers, and family; stress can easily enter your life. 

What does stress actually do?   It can increase your blood pressure and the work load on your heart by increasing the adrenaline levels in your blood.  It can even increase stress hormones that lower immunity and make your body more likely to get an infection and less likely to fight it off.  It can have an effect on your mental health.   But there are ways to make sure you reduce your stress levels.

Some studies even link stress to growing or shrinking parts of the brain.  There is also some data showing high levels of stress mean lower memory and problems with focusing.  In many cultures, forgiveness plays a role in the healing of the soul.  Doctors say it's important to forgive because in this stressful world, carrying anger or resentment for someone adds to the anxiety. 

Here are some tips to reduce stress:

1.      Get Enough Sleep

2.       Exercise and Control Your Diet

3.       Build a Social Support Network

4.       Create Peaceful Times in Your Day

Relaxation methods like yoga or meditation can work to help ease tension for certain individuals.  Some people also find turning to their spiritual side helps them manage the stress that can enter their lives.  And finally, drinking and smoking don't help stress levels.  While you may not be able to take all the stress out of your daily routine, you can work to control it.