What is Stress?
Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. Even positive life changes such as a promotion, a mortgage, or the birth of a child produce stress.
How Does Stress Affect Health?
Stress affects everybody every day. The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated, and ready to avoid danger. Too much stress, however, can be harmful. It may make an existing health problem worse. Or it can lead to other illnesses or disease if a person is at risk for the condition. For example, your body reacts to stressful situations by raising your blood pressure and making your heart work harder. This is especially dangerous if you already have heart disease or high blood pressure. Stress is more likely to be harmful if you feel helpless to deal with the problem or situation that causes the stress.
Natural Ways to Relieve Stress
Drink Enough Water
If you’re not already drinking enough water every day, that shortage could be the culprit of your headaches. How much water should you be drinking? About half your body weight in ounces. The right amount of water will promote circulation in the body, keep your organs hydrated, and help your body wash out toxins.
Eat Fresh Foods
Take advantage of the wealth of natural (and organic) foods around you. When you increase your fruit and veggie intake, prioritizing them over foods of the salty, fatty, and sweet variety, you’ll feel fuller sooner, and will be less likely to overeat.
Exercise
If you’re not the gym-going type, don’t underestimate all the other options available to get your blood pumping. It’s better to find something you enjoy doing then not move at all.
Massage
A message is a great way to unwind and relax. Whether you use a professional or ask a family member or friend to give your muscles a quick rub, the effects are less tension and stress in the muscles and the body overall. For regular stress relief, make a massage a part of your weekly routine.
Hot Shower
A hot shower can lessen the tension in the muscles, leading to a release of stress. While this is certainly a short-term relief, it really can do wonders after a long day. Some people find it beneficial to add this to their bedtime routine so that they can experience stress relief at the end of a long day and before they crawl into bed.
Time with Friends
Friends can be a great source for relieving stress. Not only can they give you some much-needed humor and some loving advice, but the camaraderie promotes a healthy mind and body. Visit with your friends on a regular basis to get the most relief. Go out to eat, meet for coffee, take a walk, or just sit and talk. The time with them will do your body and mind a lot of good.