Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way towards living a healthy and positive life.

What does stress mean to you?

We all experience stress – yet we may experience it in very different ways. Because of this, there is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.

Originally a very primitive reaction to danger (like, say, a tiger is chasing you), we now think of stress as a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened. Long-term stress can prove to be more than just a mental issue. From headaches to stomach disorders to depression to hormone imbalances– even very serious issues like stroke and heart disease can come as a result of stress.

When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones like cortisol rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels and in effect “inactivating” the body’s reaction to sex hormones. This is helpful in emergency situations, but having this “rush” for extended periods of time can be dangerous and make you susceptible to the issues mentioned previously.

Learn to overcome issues you cannot change. Yes, I know- easier said than done, right?

Take care of yourself – eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, give yourself a break if you feel stressed. I personally find that exercising first thing in the morning can help reduce the stress my body is feeling.

Meditation, talking about it, and other relaxation techniques can work for some people too.  The key is to find what works for you.

You can find more info and suggestions at The American Institute of Stress