Stress can wreak havoc on your body if you don’t have it under control. Latest research (1) has shown that stress promotes systemic inflammation in your body, which in turn impairs your immune system and promotes progression of disease in your body. Here are 8 tips on how to deal with stress and its negative consequences.
1. Evaluate your stress. Are you always on tight deadlines, doing a hundred things at once, rushing everywhere, and not able to every fully relax? You may be addicted to stress.
2. Figure out your stress triggers. Dig deep to understand what lies behind your stressful behaviors. Talking to people around you will give you another valuable perspective.
3. Create a routine. By understanding your triggers and replacing your stressful habits with more healthy habits will help you break out of the cycle.
4. Exercise. Don’t overdo it, and don’t force yourself if you’re not up to it.
5. Eat well. Don’t restrict your caloric intake too much. It can cause more stress. Make sure you’re not using food as a stress relief, it’s a dangerous path to follow.
6. Stay away from coffee and caffeinated tea. Caffeine won’t help you relax.
7. Breathe. Take a moment to stop and just breathe. It will give you perspective on life. Is this thing really worth stressing about? Usually, the answer is a resounding no.
8. Laugh, listen to music, read, be kind to others, go for a walk, turn off your computer. Do whatever it takes to bring yourself back to the moment and realize that every moment we are on this planet is a precious one.
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