Reducing Stress For Better Health

Stress is the natural response your body has to demands and events that occur on a daily basis. Contrary to what most people think, stress isn't just caused by bad experiences. Even some of the most enjoyable events in our lives can produce a lot of stress!

In response to stress the major organs go into a state of alert! And, chemicals are released into the bloodstream to help you deal with the situation. These natural chemicals provide the body with an extra boost of strength and energy to handle the event.

This extra physical power is a good thing if your feeling stressed over a emergency or danger. But, when you're going through emotional stress, often there isn't an outlet to release the extra energy.

Stress evolves from many different things both physical and emotional. With today's hectic lifestyles, often a large majority of stress comes from the workplace. In fact, mental disorders related to stress have been referred to as the fastest growing work related disease in America!

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress now accounts for around half of the deaths in people under 65 years of age. It also accounts for about two thirds of all the visits made to family doctors.

Over 20,000 studies have been performed on the effects of stress. One study carried out by the American Medical Association attributes stress as being a contributor in over 75% of all the illnesses today. It's a proven fact that stress is killing people from the inside out.

Research has discovered that people under a lot of stress have low levels of the natural cells that fight off infections, tumors and other ailments. And, the American Heart Association conducted a study that proved mental stress decreased the flow of blood to the heart.

In response to stress the muscles become tight and blood flow is even decreased to the joints. The slowed flow of blood makes digestion harder and makes it harder for the blood to perform it's job of removing wastes and supplying oxygen to the body.

The natural chemicals that are released during times of stress cause both blood pressure and cholesterol levels to rise. And, neither are good for your health when experienced for long periods of time.

The top six causes of death are cancer, lung ailments, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, accidents and suicide and stress can be linked to all of them. It causes ulcers, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, depression and even low self esteem.

Stress can be controlled through simple techniques that anyone can learn to do. Of course, stress can also be controlled through medications, but medications will actually just put more stress on your body!

Visit NoStressEver.com to learn more about the symptoms that stress creates in the body

---------------------------------------------
The contents of this lens are Copyright 2008 Mildred Stewart, all rights reserved. Images are assumed to be in the public domain, if I have made a mistake contact me.