We knew that, didn’t we?
The latest “Stress in America” report has a few cogent takeaways as reported in the Washington Times by Dan Zak.
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Takeaway 1: Life involves money, work and relationships.
Takeaway 2: Money, work and relationships cause stress.
Takeaway 3: Stress causes chronic illness.
Takeaway 4: Chronic illness causes death.
According to Zak, the proper conclusion is that Life causes death. All humor aside, evidence is mounting that stress can be “killing you before you can do anything about it,” according to Katherine C. Nordal, executive director for professional practice at the APA (American Psychological Association).
And, according to Norman B. Anderson, chief executive of the APA, stress can actually cause the brain to shrink.
On the other hand, stress can be a bit of a good thing when contending with dangerous or compelling situations. It can be a great motivator and provide the strength and will to overcome or escape. But constant, subtle stress that we endure throughout the day in the form of daily annoyances or feelings of helplessness can lead to all sorts of health problems.
The reason is that the body can be whipsawed by seething stress hormones, enzymes and misfiring neurotransmitters. The result? High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, heart attacks, obesity, sleep disorders, and, according to Zak, “death, death, death.”
The study concluded that the problem of stress is “so profound that we need to wake people up to this. Some stress is good if it motivates people to say, ‘I need to do something.’?”
It’s time to address stress and take action to reduce it, even prevent it as much as humanly possible.
There are many methods to reduce stress, including biofeedback, meditation, exercise, relaxing and fun activities. Sometimes, even watching a fun movie can help. Having a sense of humor is a plus, while pursuing an enjoyable hobby, or just spending pleasant time relaxing with loved ones.
Another very helpful method to reduce stress is to provide the body with the best nutrition one can. Fresh, raw and if possible, organically grown fruits and vegetables served in healthy salads and blender smoothies drinks can strengthen and help rejuvenate the immune system and assist the body to maintain peak performance.
One of the easiest methods to improve nutrition is to make green smoothies and fresh fruit shakes. Cutting back on fast foods and other types of processed foods, sodas and other high-salt, high-fat and high-sugar meals is crucial.
Reducing and even eliminating stress is very doable. The study finds that it is paramount for people to address their stress now. Stress is a killer.
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