| The real problems with stress arise when you don't do | | | | individual has their own method. Some may prefer |
| anything at all. Some people are not aware they are at | | | | bingo or bowling while another may choose baking or |
| risk for problems such as heart attack and stroke. | | | | smoking a cigarette. Whatever the choice, there are |
| Stress is so common and strikes so slowly that few | | | | certain consequences. For instance, if you choose to |
| people are aware of any danger till its too late. A little | | | | smoke to relieve your stress it may not be the best |
| statistic might make this a little clearer; estimates that | | | | solution and could result in a health risk. Other ways to |
| 75% to 95% of all doctors' visits are stress related! | | | | relieve stress are acupuncture and hypnosis. To locate |
| In other words, if you have symptoms of stress, heart | | | | a professional simply use the internet or it's as easy as |
| disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep | | | | your phone book under physicians or alternative |
| problems, headaches, faster aging, strokes, depression, | | | | medicine. |
| ulcers, asthma, weaker immune system (reducing your | | | | I have researched and compiled a list of 6 extremely |
| natural ability to fight off infection), panic attacks, loss | | | | useful resources on the internet. Each resource has a |
| of memory or even obesity...stress can be a significant | | | | description from it's website to give you an idea of |
| factor. | | | | what to expect. This will give you a jump start on |
| Stress occurs when you perceive a demand on you | | | | understanding the roots of stress and how to |
| to be greater than your resources. This can happen | | | | efficiently reduce stress in your life today. |
| studying, working, dealing with events, holidays, running | | | | 1. A Completely Free Stress Management And Stress |
| your own business and so on. The symptoms include | | | | Relief System: If you want to learn exactly how you |
| an elevated blood pressure, release of hormones, | | | | can control stress in all aspects of life, step by step, |
| increase of tension in your muscles, rapid breathing, | | | | you will love this program. I think this is the most |
| and sweating. | | | | effective stress management & stress relief system |
| Some stress can actually be good for you, as it can | | | | on the net today and it's available free. Might as well |
| motivate you. But all the physical symptoms of stress | | | | take advantage of it. Read about it @ |
| can make your body weaker, breaking down its | | | | 2. The American Institute of Stress: Many studies have |
| immune system. So stress for a longer period of time | | | | proven beyond any doubt that stress affects your |
| than a few days can be very dangerous. | | | | mind AND body. This site is "Dedicated to Advancing |
| Think of it this way; If you bought a car and then drove | | | | Our Understanding of: (1)The Role of Stress in Health |
| it around recklessly, not taking proper care of it, the car | | | | and Illness, (2) The Nature and Importance of |
| will break down. You are putting way too much | | | | Mind-Body Relationships, and (3) Our Inherent and |
| exertion on the engine to keep it running for very long. | | | | Immense Potential for Self-Healing." @ |
| Your body is the same way with stress. You have to | | | | 3. American Psychological Association Help Center: As |
| consciously take control of and manage stress, or | | | | stated on the website, "APA's Help Center is your |
| your body will begin to run like a broken down car. | | | | online resource for brochures, tips and articles on the |
| Unfortunately the fast paced living we are used to is | | | | psychological issues that affect your physical and |
| designed to put your body into a state of stress from | | | | emotional well-being, as well as information about |
| the very moment you wake up! It begins with the | | | | referrals." @ |
| sharp sound of an alarm bell, followed by the stress of | | | | 4. International Stress Management Association: This is |
| the morning commute, add coffee and sugar filled | | | | a charity that, "exists to promote sound knowledge |
| snacks and your body is beginning to get hit hard...and | | | | and best practice in the prevention and reduction of |
| all of this before the work day has even begun! | | | | human stress. It sets professional standards for the |
| By the time you get home there is so much stress | | | | benefit of individuals and organizations using the |
| stored up in your body that you may even find it | | | | services of its members." @ |
| difficult to allow your mind to relax. You have probably | | | | 5. The Job Stress Network: Everybody gets stressed |
| been "storing" stress in your body for years and don't | | | | at work. Although there are many good methods for |
| realize it. This leads to trouble relaxing and sleeping, | | | | quick stress relief (see resource #1), sometimes it is |
| one of the most common symptoms of stress. | | | | important to get information on work stress in |
| "Stress is harmful to the body as well as the mind." | | | | particular. This can help you cope with your job better. |
| Time Magazine January 20, 2003 | | | | As stated on the website, "The purpose of this site is |
| The topic of stress relief has been the object of | | | | to bring together, for public dissemination, information |
| controversy in recent decades due to the various | | | | about and related to Job Strain (specifically) and Work |
| ways to administer it. There are different ways for | | | | Stress (in general)." @ |
| different cultures. Where the Hindus have yoga the | | | | 6. Stress Management Information at About.com: At |
| Japanese have Zen. Both of these methods are | | | | this website you will find collections of articles, tips and |
| excellent in relieving stress. There are many types of | | | | tests that you can take. If you are looking for a |
| yoga and this practice includes stretching of the | | | | general understanding of stress then this is the place |
| muscles and various positions to relax each body part. | | | | to go. |
| Meditation and concentration for each movement will | | | | It is very easy to maintain a relaxed mind and body if |
| eventually with continued effort give you a youthful | | | | you just have the tools and knowledge. We all have to |
| glow and allow you to keep stress levels at a | | | | deal with life's every day stresses but they don't have |
| minimum. Zen, on the other, hand is a style focusing on | | | | to destroy our lives. Being able to control our stress |
| more of the meditation. Zen is a more philosophical | | | | levels is important to our overall body health. |
| approach to stress relief and really works if practiced | | | | Making some time for yourself that is quiet and free |
| on a regular schedule. | | | | from things like your children or your spouse is very |
| Other ways to relieve stress include deep breathing | | | | important because just because we love the people in |
| exercises, light physical exercise, reading, getting out | | | | our lives; they often cause a lot of our stress. |
| into nature, the calming effects of light music; each | | | | |