Stress can be a tricky thing and it certainly isn't anything new under the sun.  And how you deal with it, whether you chose prayer, meditation, a primal scream or whatever let's you let it go..it's good because you need to.  After all, more than stuff you own I think most of us would agree that we want to be happy and healthy, and continued stress can rob you of both.  And here comes the rub, you can't control what goes on around you, the good news is you can start training yourself to react to it in a better way.  Why bother you ask?  Well, yet another new study suggests that getting irritated about the small things in life is just as bad for your health as eating a poor diet or failing to exercise. The research shows that getting stressed by everyday irritations such as traffic jams or annoying work colleagues can take a heavy toll mental health a decade later. This research appeared in the Journal Psychological Science and suggests that maintaining emotional balance is crucial to avoiding mental health problems later in life.

The Mayo Clinic goes on to explain that feeling stress is hard wired:

Your body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors. Such threats are rare today, but that doesn't mean that life is free of stress.

On the contrary, you undoubtedly face multiple demands each day, such as shouldering a huge workload, making ends meet, taking care of your family, or just making it through the morning rush hour. Your body treats these so-called minor hassles as threats. As a result you may feel as if you're constantly under assault. But you can fight back. You don't have to let stress control your life.

Also..

The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Sleep problems
  • Digestive problems
  • Depression
  • Obesity
  • Memory impairment
  • Worsening of skin conditions, such as eczema

That's why it's so important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life.

Here are some ideas they give to help:

Stress management strategies include:

  • Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep
  • Practicing relaxation techniques
  • Fostering healthy friendships
  • Having a sense of humor
  • Seeking professional counseling when needed

The payoff of managing stress is peace of mind and — perhaps — a longer, healthier life.

 

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