Stress is the way your body responds to any type of pressure. At times it is only all natural and is completely tolerable. When you are under pressure though, stress can become all consuming and is not all that good for your body. Stress can prompt you to do your best at a job interview, or if a student is taking an exam, or even when you are planning a trip. However, stress can also negatively affect your overall health.
A number of recent studies have reported that stress can significantly reduce your physical health and your mental health. One study reported that women who were stressed showed signs of greater fat deposits around the waist. Another study reported that mothers who were under high levels of stress had a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory proteins, which are linked to heart disease. And, one study reported that chronic stress is directly correlated to the increased risk of depression and other psychological disorders.
Now, we know that stress is linked to unhealthy emotional states and poor mental health. So, how can we lower levels of stress? There are a number of things that you can do to lower stress and the following are among the most effective ways: Relax – mentally and physically. Relaxing your mind and body before you engage in any task will allow you to focus on the task at hand and make it easier to stay on task. In addition, when you are relaxed your body will be more able to physically relieve stress.
Dr. Saltz also recommends getting social support from friends or family members. It has been previously reported that the support and encouragement of friends and family are critical in managing stress. However, I would like to add that this does not mean you need to become your friend and start hanging out with your friends. Social support is only helpful if you are using it as a substitute for other sources of stress relief.
– Two of the easiest ways to relieve stress and to lower levels of anxiety are through physical exercise and through breathing. – One of the easiest ways to relieve stress and to lower levels of anxiety is through physical exercise. Studies have shown that doing exercise three times a week for at least 20 minutes will decrease your blood pressure and help you sleep better at night. In addition, regular exercise has been shown to increase your stamina, which can help you in many different areas including your career.
– Learning some simple meditation techniques can also be helpful in managing your stress and anxiety. In particular, Moksha is an ancient form of meditation that is very similar to Yoga meditation. In Moksha you breathe deeply and in slow controlled motions. A highly recommended meditation technique for lowering your stress and anxiety levels is deep belly breathing. Breathing in from the diaphragm will expand your lungs, while breathing out will fill the abdominal area and strengthen the muscles.
– A popular method used to treat chronic stress and anxiety is hypnotherapy. In hypnotherapy for chronic stress you will learn and practice breathing techniques to relax and to get your body in a state of calmness. During hypnotherapy for chronic stress you will learn how to use the relaxation and control techniques to lower levels of stress and anxiety.
You don’t need to spend lots of money or hours in front of a therapist to learn these skills. You can simply learn by listening to an audio recording of a therapist teaching you how to breathe correctly and how to use relaxation techniques to relieve stress and anxiety in your life. With a bit of effort you will be able to lower your stress and anxiety levels. Not only will you feel better but your work performance will improve as well.