Did you know eight in ten Americans are affected by stress? Stress quite often can lead to insomnia, high blood pressure, depression and an increased risk of heart disease, all of which can contribute to an early death. Other effects of stress include headaches, fertility problems and the collapse of relationships which can lead to social isolation.
Combating stress is extremely important for the prospects of a long and happy life. Here are three ways that you can manage stress.
Take part in physical activity
Being in a stressful situation will increase the level of stress hormones in the body. We’ve got our ancestors to thank for that. Back in man’s early days, the brain would release the likes of adrenaline and cortisol into our system – “fight or flight” hormones – to protect us from immediate bodily harm when we were under threat from a man-eating animal or under attack from another tribe.
The chances of being attacked or eaten in 21st century America are pretty low, and so our bodies can build up an excess of these hormones. The way to combat them is by exercising. Physical activity will help to trigger their release into the body and help to restore your mind to a calmer place.
When you feel stressed or tense, something as simple as a brisk walk in fresh air can help you overcome it. Regular exercise can also help keep stress hormone’s levels in check and ensure a more serene balance.
Take supplements and natural remedies
There are plenty of supplements and natural remedies out there that can help to combat stress. Magnesium is one of the best as it targets the area of the brain responsible for the release of adrenaline and cortisol. If you don’t want to take supplements, then you can add magnesium to your diet through foods such as dark chocolates, avocados, and fatty fishes.
Natural remedies such as herbs and plants can be used to help the body relax which can help battle stress. Hawthorn, lavender and lemon balm are all good plants for relaxation while medical marijuana can also help, to understand more about this interesting remedy click here to read more now.
Finally, there are supplements such as melatonin, valerian and chamomile tea which can help you sleep at night. Insomnia is one of the most significant contributors to feelings of stress, so ensuring that you get a good night’s rest can help fight it.
Get a good night’s sleep
A study from the National Sleep Foundation, claims that an adult needs to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Anything less than that is doing untold harm to your body, not least because of the stress it puts it under.
We’ve already touched upon how exercise and supplements can help battle stress, and they can both be used to combat insomnia as well; physical activity tires us out, and supplements can help send us to sleep.
Avoiding alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine before bed can help, as can relaxing before you turn in for the night. You shouldn’t be thinking about work, so this means no computer screens – just take an hour to switch off and unwind before you hit the pillow.
