“I am sooooooo stressed!” This is a common refrain from many of our clients, and it’s no wonder – constant stress has become an increasingly relentless part of our lives. From the moment we get up until we collapse into bed at night, we are bombarded with stress. Traffic, cell phones, TV, radio, deadlines, kids, work, appointments – the list goes on and on. Our bodies are designed to deal with some stress on a regular basis, but many of us just have too much going on for our bodies to adapt properly.
Here is a quick list of questions you can use to help you determine if stress may be negatively impacting your health:
- Do you gain weight easily, especially around your midsection?
- Do you need caffeine or sugar to get or keep you going during the day?
- Do you need alcohol (or other drugs) to relax?
- Do you “need” exercise to keep you sane and/or calm?
- Do you have trouble turning off your mind at night?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, stress is most likely impacting your health in some way. Other symptoms that may indicate that stress is adversely affecting your health include:
| Depression or anxiety | Rapid mood swings | Dark Circles under eyes |
| Dizziness upon standing | Lack of mental alertness | Catch colds easily |
| Headaches | Difficulty breathing | Water retention |
| Eyes sensitive to bright light | Feel weak and shaky | Environmental sensitivities |
Different people have different reactions to stress. But one thing is universal – too much stress can cause all sorts of health problems. We’ll highlight the negative impacts of stress and what you can do to combat and correct them over the next couple months. But you don’t have to wait to start reigning stress in; start by stopping whatever you are doing, close your eyes and take a nice big, cleansing breath – IN…and OUT. Do that a couple of times throughout your day and you’ll be on your way to feeling better!
Learn more about Stress and Your Health
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