What is Stress?

Stress is the body’s reaction to various types of external stimuli that can cause anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and mental fogginess.

Stress cannot be avoided in today’s world. It is inevitable that we will experience some type of stress at one point or another in our lives. The important thing is to know how to manage it and how it affects you psychologically and physiologically.

How Stress Affects Your Body

Stress affects the body in many ways. The way you look, your sleep patterns, your appetite, your health, your performance at work, and the way you behave all change when you are stressed.

Stress has been reported as the top trigger of all illnesses. It leads to sleep deprivation, weight gain, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety among many others. And most importantly it affects productivity at the workplace or any other place you might be in charge of a task or activity.

We can feel it in our neck or back by carrying tension there. We might feel anxious because of our racing thoughts and inability to focus on anything else. We might have indigestion or a headache due to changes in hormone levels that happen as part of the stress response. Stress is a normal reaction for emergencies but when it becomes chronic, unproductive stress that we can't escape from because of our responsibilities - that's when it can start to affect us physically and mentally.

What Causes Stress in the First Place?

Stress can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, family, and relationships.

The current study found that the number one stressor for Americans is work. Seventy-three percent of people are stressed about their jobs. Family was the second most common cause of stress, and 63 percent of people are stressed about their family life.

A study by the American Psychological Association found that Americans find work to be the number one cause of stress in their lives, with more than three quarters (76%) reporting it as such. Family life came in second at 63%.

What You Can Do Right Now to Reduce Your Stress Levels

The best thing to do in order to reduce your stress levels is to take care of yourself by doing things that will help you de-stress.

There are many things that we can do to help alleviate stress. This article explores some of the most effective ways that are natural and easy for everyone.

When was the last time you were able to take a break and relax? You might be too busy with work or other obligations, but it's important to take time out of your day for yourself. Stress can have serious effects on your health if left untreated, so it's always good to know what you're up against and have some methods of dealing with stress naturally.

Some simple solutions include: having a healthy diet and lifestyle; exercising regularly; talking about problems with family members or friends; practicing mindfulness exercises like meditation or yoga; finding some form of relaxation like coloring books or podcasts or any other hobby that makes us calm.

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Exercise: It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that exercise will only make you feel worse. But it is actually a natural stress reliever. All you need to do is go for 20-minute walk, and your heart rate will increase and so will your serotonin levels which are responsible for mood stabilization.

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Meditation: People have been turning to meditation for centuries as a way of dealing with stress. Meditation can help you get in touch with your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You can also practice meditation as a type of physical exercise where you focus on breathing deeply while sitting comfortably in one place.

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Diet: There are lots of foods that have proven to be helpful with stress. Some examples include chia seeds, avocados, and almonds. One of the benefits of chia seeds is that they contain Omega-3 fats and antioxidants which are beneficial for the heart. Avocados contain nutrients such as folate, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E. Almonds contain magnesium which is good for calming nerves and reducing anxiety.

Please call Superior Compounding Pharmacy in Plymouth Michigan to speak with one of our licensed pharmacists today at 734-404-6065. We can help answer any medication questions that you may have.

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