Stress Management Strategies for Better Health

Most people would agree that we live in incredibly stressful times. Working long hours at a difficult job, having relationship problems, watching the news, or worrying about money can lead to heightened stress levels, sleep problems, and an overall decline in the quality of life.

Keeping Stress in Perspective

A moderate amount of stress can be healthy. It worked well for our ancestors when they faced threats and hunted for food. Today, when you anticipate a challenging task, your body will produce beneficial compounds like adrenaline and cortisol to increase motivation, sharpen focus, and generally help you perform well under pressure.

The problems start when your stress becomes chronic, meaning it doesn’t ever go away.

Chronic Stress Destroys Your Body and Mind

Countless studies have shown us that stress will damage your body and mind in multiple ways. Excessive stress

• Raises the risk of acquiring an autoimmune disease.
• Contributes to heart disease.
• Multiplies the rate at which cancer grows.

At Blatman Health and Wellness Center, we see a lot of patients with issues attributed solely to stress. Our bodies, while resilient, are not equipped to handle a state of perpetual stress. Chronic stress has profound effects on many biological and mental processes, and you should never ignore it.

Learn to Manage Your Stress

You can start taking control of your stress and get your life back. Don’t wait for stress to affect your health negatively. Identify the causes of stress in your life and take steps to address them directly. You can also use any of the following approaches to cope with emergent stress:

• Use deep breathing to calm yourself.
• Brush up on time management and problem-solving skills.
• Work on improving your relationships.
• Take up relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, tai chi, reflection, or prayer.
• Check out self biofeedback with HeartMath.com

Integrative Healthcare in Cincinnati Can Help

Consider working with a health and wellness center to learn strategies for coping with stress. A local dietary consultant at Blatman Health and Wellness Center can guide you through dietary changes and recommend nutritional therapy that can help you reduce your stress. You might also try a multivitamin or supplements that provide additional Vitamin C and adaptogens, as well as look into our Stress and Relax formula.