Don't Let Stress Affect Your Health

My clients often see me to increase their energy, improve their performance, and lose those extra pounds. To reach these goals the first things that usually come to mind are eating well and exercising. This is definitely the right place to start, but oftentimes we don’t think about another factor that is equally important to our overall health and energy: stress.

Whether it’s from work or everyday situations, stress affects us all, and can often lead to serious health consequences. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that nearly 90 percent of doctor’s visits are stress related.

Studies have shown many negative associations related to stress. Stress has been correlated with:

• increased blood pressure
• increased risk of heart disease
• increased triglycerides
• depression
• anxiety
• ulcers
• insomnia
• decreased immune system
• risk of disease such as diabetes, tooth and gum disease and possibly cancer

Stress can negatively affect the body in many ways, and when paired with poor eating habits and lack of exercise the risk of disease increases even more.

Luckily there are many things we can do to alleviate stress and live a healthier life! Stress can’t be eliminated altogether, but taking small steps to improve your stress levels can have dramatic effects. Each individual is different, but there are several techniques that can be used to decrease stress levels, including:

• yoga
• meditation
• deep breathing
• exercise
• acupuncture
• following a healthy diet

Stress can also be relieved through enjoying time to yourself, spending time with friends and family, or participating in your favorite hobby. Stress relief can be found in many avenues, so find what works best for your individual needs! Pair your newfound method with nutritious eating and exercise for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.