Health Care Associates & Community Care Givers

How Stress Affects the Body – Part 2

by · August 21, 2015

As we move into the next few weeks we will begin to see quite a few changes.  Changes in the weather, social activities, even the time will change and change brings stress.  Not all change is bad, and, as I mentioned in my last post, not all stress is bad, but, whether good or bad, if we allow stress to build up it can cause problems.

A few ways of managing stress that I went over in my previous blog were:

  1. Meditate
  2. Breathe Deeply
  3. Reach Out
  4. Tune into Your Body

This week I would like to look at a few more ways of dealing with stress in a healthy way
According the Web MD, there are several fun and healthy ways to manage stress and what better time of year than autumn as the cool breeze sets in along with some beautiful scenery to try some of these.

  1. Exercise.  Regular exercise is one of the best way to manage stress.  Walking is a great way to get started.group-of-men-walking-cartoon
  2. Write.  It can help to write about the things that are bothering you.  You don’t have to share what you write with anyone, but just writing it down can help get it off your chest and out of your mind so that you can let it go.
  3. Let your feelings out.  Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to with someone you trust.  Expressing anger doesn’t mean flying into a rage or screaming at the top of your lungs at someone, but just stating that you are really angry over some event or at someone can break it’s hold on you.
  4. Do something you enjoy.  A hobby can help you relax.  Volunteer work or work that helps others can be a great stress reliever.parttime_jobs_hobbyclass
  5. And last but certainly not least, look for the humor in life.  Laughter really can be the best medicine.

Life in this day and age is definitely stressful, and this season of the year there is the start of the school year, various sports activities the children need transportation to and from, shopping for new clothes for the cooler weather, and life can feel like a constant treadmill of activity.  Take time to relax and unwind a little each day.  Your body will thank you for it.

To your good health,

Barb