Stress is on the top of the list of things that can kill humans. Chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.
When you are stressed your brain releases a hormone called cortisol and elevated cortisol levels interfere with learning and memory, lower immune function and bone density, increase weight gain, blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease.
But what if you can control your stress, what if you don’t have go through what it makes you feel.
TRY TO:
Relax when you can: Close your eyes and take a breath. Clear those clouds in your mind and think of a better reason why you shouldn’t stress.
Take care of your health: Eating well, exercising and getting adequate sleep is key to coping with stressful times. Get into a routine and soon you will feel the stress melt away.
Focus on the positive: Stop thinking that you can’t do it or you will never make it. If you have to – stand in front of the mirror every morning and repeat positive messages to your reflection.
Breathe: It is so important that you breathe when you stress, short, shallow breaths that come from the upper chest can create dizziness and physical and mental stress and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. Long, slow breaths calm the body and the mind thanks to an extra boost of oxygen according to blackmores.com
Visualise it: If you are stressed out just think of something that will calm you. Whatever makes you happy. Maybe a beautiful island or you see yourself floating in the clouds, as long as you picture yourself in complete serenity.
WATCH: Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin gives a talk about living stress-free
