5 Ways to Reduce Stress from the American Heart Association |

« Should We Be Predators and Attack Our Anxieties? | Home | 5 More Ways to Reduce Stress from the American Heart Association »

5 Ways to Reduce Stress from the American Heart Association

I was recently on the American Heart Association website at:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3047939

And they had some really excellent ideas how to fight off your stress by adopting some healthy habits. They offer the suggestion that chronic stress isn’t healthy for your body or your heart. So with that in mind, let take a look at their top 5 ways to fight stress with healthy and positive habits.

1) Talking with your friends and family! You should call or talk with those who you enjoy being with and talk to them about your feelings, hopes and joys. I like to just “be” there in the moment and listen to everyone happily talking about something that interests them and the laughing. It helps me reduce my stress levels.

2) Exercise! Yes, I know this isn’t one of the biggies in terms of fun stuff to do for many people… but physical activities has been proven in tests over and over again to be very helpful for reducing stress and maintaining your health.

3) Accept the things that you cannot change. Boy, that is so true… Especially in this day and age when there are so many stressful events and things going on around the world. Technology has made the world smaller, unfortunately, it also has brought many of the world’s problems (that we can’t solve) to our doorsteps. I feel it is OK to be compassionate and understanding… but there is a time when you must admit that there is NO WAY you can possible solve all the world’s problems! And so let them all drain away and focus on what you CAN solve.

4) Laugh! This is one of the most critical emotions that many folks forget about. It is a great way to relieve and let go of all the stress building up inside yourself. Besides, laughing makes you feel good! And the best part is that you can laugh even when you are alone.

5) This is a biggie and a must if you really want to rid yourself of the underlying stress. Get rid of your bad and unhealthy habits. Limit your drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking and even caffeine! All those items can increase your stress levels. I would definitely quit smoking if that is what you are doing. No matter how many commercials you see and articles you read… smoking tobacco is not good for your long term health. So why not quit now and get healthier? You will feel better about yourself and definitely lower your stress levels.

In my next blog post I will cover the last five ways that you can lower and reduce your stress levels!

Talk soon,

Kate

P.S. I recommend the hour long Totally Tranquil meditation track by Holothink that you can download immediately and burn it on a CD or even copy it to your IPOD and use it whenever and wherever you find a need to get instant stress relief.

You can sign up at the link above for a FREE 10 minute demo to refresh your mental state and feel re-energized and focused by the end of the track.

Bookmark It