Manage Stress to Avoid Disease

learn how to manage stress to avoid disease
Manage Stress to Avoid Disease

Most people know that stress is bad for the body, but why it is so important to manage stress levels? Can stress actually cause disease? The short answer is “yes.” Research indicates that stress can cause or worsen disease and, according to the Cleveland Clinic, has been “linked to 6 of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.” We can’t always control what causes the stress in our lives, but we can learn how to manage our stress. Here’s some stress management tips to implement in your life in order to maintain your good health:

Manage Stress by Making Time For Yourself:

Don’t forget why managing your stress levels are important. You want to be able to be healthy and live a full life. Putting yourself and your health first is important. Do you have hobbies that you enjoy that you have quit doing because of time constraints? Set a goal for yourself. If you love to read, try to read for a half hour, three times a week. Don’t be afraid to make some “me” time and do what makes you happy. Try taking a relaxing bath after dinner or calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in order to get some social interactions outside of your work and home life. Make some time for yourself and try to have a bit of fun!

Set Limits:

We all reach a point where we have to say no. If you are experiencing a lot of stress, don’t be afraid to turn down things that will cause more chaos in your life. This might mean saying “no” to a family member who wants to visit or asking a friend to host the book club this month instead. In the long run, you will be glad that you didn’t have extra things on your plate.

Change Your Mindset:

Although it can be hard when you have a lot going on, challenge yourself to think of three positive things that happened that day. This will force you to look for positive occurrences in your daily life instead of focusing on the things you weren’t able to get done. Changing your mindset can drastically improve your mood. Remember to focus on things that make you happy– watch a silly sitcom and laugh and try to stay positive. Research has shown that counting your blessings can also help you sleep better at night. Thinking positively will help you relax and even catch more Zzzs.

Exercise and Eat Well:

While we can’t always control everything happening in our lives, we do have control over what we choose to eat and how much activity we get each day. Remember that at the end of the day, your have control over certain parts of your health. Try to be active each day and always stick to the anti-inflammatory diet. Take care of your body, and it will take care of you. Get up and move and you will be feeling less stressed in no time!

Remember that even though you can’t always control the little things that cause you stress, you can control how you manage stress. Don’t be afraid to say no, remember to make time for yourself, and try to think positively about the world around you. These are all great ways to relax and be healthy!

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