Stress: We All Have It, Here’s How to Cope

Despite different ages, genders, occupations, and political leanings, there is one thing that just about everyone has in common – STRESS. According to the American Institute of Stress, 77% percent of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress and 73% experience psychological symptoms. What are we stressed about? Everything, but the big culprits are money, work, and politics. Stress can lead to debilitating symptoms including:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Teeth Grinding

• Anger

• Irritability

• Depression

Stress is part of life, good stress, and bad stress. Good stress? Yes, there is such as thing as good stress. Small episodes of stress can lead to increased motivation and productivity, it’s the long-term bad stress we need to worry about. So, how can we combat stress in our daily lives? Here are 5 proven methods for you try:

1. Therapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you to recognize how you react to stress, how situations effect your thoughts and behaviors, and how to develop positive coping mechanisms.

2. Exercise – It might be the last thing you ever want to do, but exercise can really change your life. It can lead to improved mood, better sleep, less tension, sense of achievement, improve your cardiovascular system, and so much more.

3. Aromatherapy - Smells activate areas in our nose called smell receptors, which transport signals to areas of our brain, including the limbic system. The limbic system, linked to our emotions, heart rate, memory, stress, and hormone balance, then generates a response. The benefits of aromatherapy include ease of stress, anxiety, and depression, boosting energy levels, strengthening the immune system, and improved sleep quality.

4. Mindfulness - Mindfulness meditation is a way for you to train your mind, allowing you to focus on the present moment without being distracted. The main idea behind mindfulness is to simply be present in the moment, while paying attention to your physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions right now without your mind wandering. Some of the health benefits of practicing mindfulness meditation are improved mood and outlook, decreased stress, anxiety control, and improved sleep.

5. Stress Management Supplements – Supplements can be used to replenish the important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that chronic stress can deplete.