INHALE, EXHALE, RELEASE

April is Stress Awareness Month! “Stress.” Just the mention of the word can instantly cause your entire body to tense, and jaw to clench, as you try to relegate any forthcoming thoughts that could induce stress when pondering the word for too long.  If only the cure for stress was as simple as not thinking about it, maybe then it would stop being one of the leading causes of death. According to FastStats from the Centers of Disease and Control Prevention, strokes are the number five leading cause of death.  Stress is one of the leading causes of strokes, according to the Medical News Today website.

Other ailments like diabetes, heart disease, depression, and anxiety, are also health related issues generated by increased stress levels. Now before you clutch your pearls and begin to hyperventilate, keep in mind that it takes years of untreated stress levels to be under the bridge, before these health problems occur. Luckily, there are steps to take to relieve your stress, which can also be preventive healthcare.

A way to reduce your stress is by drinking Green Tea. Green Tea contains many polyphenol antioxidants which provide health benefits. It may lower stress and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels, according to the Healthline website. Enjoying Green Tee with a Latte Mug, Travel Mug or Stainless Steel Bottle from Shades of Color is a great way to unwind after a  long day! Not only are they beautifully designed, and affordable, but they also have inspirational quotes designed to uplift your spirit after every sip!

Meditation is another great way to minimize your stress levels, due to the practice igniting calmness and peace. According to the Mayo Clinic website, “When you meditate, you may clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.” Meditation has also been linked to helping manage certain health conditions like, asthma, cancer, chronic pain, and depression.

Lastly, a major way to relieve stress is to exercise! Exercise may not always be the most fun thing to do, unless you take a Zumba dance class, however it releases endorphins that can improve your mood. Physical activity produces endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improves the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s website.  When exercising, don’t forget to hydrate! Water can be an immediate stress reliever, especially if you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue.When there’s less aldosterone, electrolyte levels drop, and you get dehydrated. Plus, being dehydrated can increase cortisol levels. If cortisol levels increase, and stressed-out you does nothing about it, it will build up and lead to a host of problems, including depression and mental illness. Basically, you’re stuck in a cycle of stress and thirst, According to Reader’s Digest. In other words, grab a bottle, and WAKE, PRAY and SIP ALL DAY!!

There are many ways to reduce stress, choose the one that’s the best for you!

—-Written by Angelica Cheyenne

References

1. Center for Disease Control & Prevention
2. Healthline.com
3. MayoClinic.org
4. Medical News Today
5. Reader’s Digest