Nine Ways to Reduce Stress

Dear Janice,

What are the health benefits of a superfood like Spirulina?

Whether or not you acknowledge it, stress affects you nearly every day.
Sometimes it's a familiar (if uncomfortable) feeling, even though you
can't quite identify its source; sometimes you know exactly what's causing your stress level to skyrocket. Stress is your body's response to any demand or pressure at a given time -- it's not the specific event as much as your reaction to it. (Something that stresses you one day might have little impact the next.) And because stress is subjective, not everyone reacts in the same way to a similar situation. It's how you deal with that situation as an individual that directly affects the state of your
physical and psychological health.

Your stress level is largely determined by your interaction with others (family, friends, co-workers, your boss); your personal life; social and cultural changes; and your self-image. Stress levels rise when you are
frustrated, worried, ill, engaged in conflict or feeling pressured. It can
also be caused by everyday problems and demands, like being stuck in
traffic, rushing to meet a deadline, neglecting your diet, running a
household or worrying over how to pay your bills. And stress can result
from an occasional demand, such as caring for a sick child, or more
long-lasting strain, such as living on unemployment.

Stress can also be induced by major life events, whether pleasant or
traumatic. Getting married, for instance, can be as stressful as getting
divorced. The birth of a child causes stress, as does the death of a loved
one. Almost every American suffered some signs of stress after the
September 11th tragedies, regardless of whether they experienced personal loss. As a nation, our stress levels have never been higher. Yet
unrelieved stress exacts an emotional and physical toll, setting us up for
conditions such as anxiety, sleeplessness, nervousness and depression; and impairing our immune systems, which places us at greater risk of
developing high blood pressure, heart disease and everything from the
common cold to cancer.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you grit your teeth or clench your jaw?
Do you feel tired much of the time for no apparent reason?
Are you easily irritated and/or does your temper flare over minor
things?
Do you have frequent headaches?
Have you developed nervous habits, such as finger tapping, nail biting or leg rocking?
Do you get frequent stomach aches?
Have you experienced unexplained weight loss or gain?

A "yes" answer to any one of the above could indicate you are not
effectively handling the stressors in your life. Fortunately, there are
ways to help keep your stress under control. Try the following
stress-reducing suggestions:

Exercise regularly to reduce stress
Try for twenty minutes per day, three days a week. Exercise releases
endorphins, the "feel good" hormones, which helps to lower blood pressure, relax muscles and clear the mind.

Eat healthfully to reduce stress
Aim for a high-fiber, low-fat diet. Go easy on the junk food, don't skip
meals and avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

Take a supplement to reduce stress
Stress can rob your body of essential vitamins and minerals. Even if you
think your diet is healthy, it's a prudent idea to take a nutritional
supplement. After years of silence on the subject, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in its June 19, 2002 issue, has announced that it is "prudent for adults to take vitamin supplements" to help prevent disease. Most adults do not get sufficient levels of vitamins C as well as A, B-6, B-12 and E by diet alone and could benefit from supplements. See Inner Care Nutrtional Analysis below.

Get enough rest to reduce stress
Sleep is essential for keeping your stress level down.

Laugh to reduce stress
Laughter really is the best medicine. It's not always easy, but find
reasons to laugh. Go to a comedy club, see a funny movie or do anything
that will make you laugh.

Engage in social activities to reduce stress
Make time to be with family and friends.

Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress
Guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, meditation
and yoga are all excellent stress-reduction methods.

Get a massage to reduce stress
A massage relaxes tight muscles and improves blood circulation, both of
which lead to a lowered stress level.

Adjust your thinking to reduce stress
You can't control every situation. Recognize the things that are beyond
your control and learn to let go.

Inner Care Nutritional Analysis
Use this handy checklist to determine the nutritional supplement that's best for you.

Do you eat less than five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day? Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Foundation

Do you have more than an average amount of stress in your life?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Harmony

Does your energy level lag at certain times of the day?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Vitality

Do you exercise strenuously, smoke, live or work in an urban community or spend more than one hour a day commuting?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Bio Defense

Do you experience occasional indigestion, bloating or flatulence?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Nutrizymes

Are you taking, or have you taken, prescription or over-the-counter medications for a significant period of time? (Medications may produce dietary deficiencies by destroying nutrients, preventing their absorption and increasing their excretion.)
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Foundation and Bio Defense

Does your skin look dull? Do you have very oily or very dry skin or skin that has been over-exposed to the sun?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Radiance

Do you participate in activities that may tax your knees or other joints?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care Joint Support

Do you experience bloating, mood-swings, cramping or hot flashes?
Yes No
If you answered "Yes", I'd recommend Inner Care For Her

General Disclaimer:
The information contained herein is presented for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the skills of professional health practitioner. Statements made throughout have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

On AskJanice.com:
> Natural Vitamins and Nutritionals
> Eating Well and Sleeping Well
> Boost Your Immune System to Fight Colds

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