Stress is the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response, and some stress can be a healthy thing. Chronic or severe stress can damage your body and mind, blocking the fluid communication to and from most organs–especially in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and in the limbic system (the brain’s emotional center). You want these two systems running as smoothly as possible, with low levels of the delinquent stress hormones in your bloodstream to keep you functioning optimally.
Too much stress is hard on your body, so let’s explore some ways to de-stress.
Stress Busters:
1. Create a To-Do List: Simplify (cut out things that aren’t necessary or valuable),
Prioritize (set a schedule to accomplish what is important), and Cross-off tasks as you complete them (so you feel a sense of accomplishment).
2. Schedule Time for Fun: Spending time with loved ones is an excellent way to keep stress at bay. Busy schedules can make this feel impossible, so make fun time a priority. Laughter truly is the best medicine, and is proven to strengthen the immune system and help the body relax. Friendships for women, and sport activities for men have been proven to lower stress levels overall.
3. Take Time for Yourself: Take time to exercise (which has been proven to improve mood as well as relax the body), meditate, and treat yourself to a spa treatment at home or at the spa. Taking care of your body and spirit go a long way in helping you relax.
4. Learn to Say No: It is impossible to do everything that people get asked to do. Learn to say no to what is not important to you, or what you can’t possibly make time for. Accept it, and do not let yourself feel guilty. Lessening busy schedules is a necessary step to making time for enjoyable things in life.
5. Let Housework Go: (At least occasionally! There is some evidence that a clean and organized home leads to feelings of peacefulness.) If it is in your budget, hire a cleaning person once or twice a month. If not, divide chores up fairly in your household, so no one person has the largest responsibility. And ocasionally, let the house go to enjoy a special occasion that crops up.
As the saying goes, life is short – take time to enjoy it! Finding ways to lessen stress will improve your health and enjoyment in life.
Author: Michelle Caron
Works Cited: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/03/18/10-stress-busters/
