Four Steps to a Less-Stressed Life

Stress is a normal, natural part of life. It is cause by the brain responding to a demand, whether the demand is small or large, complex or simple.

Some stress can be a positive addition to your life, motivating you to learn and grown personally and professionally. It can also, however, prove to be a significant issue, leaving you feeling exhausted and anxious. Stress can be the result of many factors in a person’s life including personal finances, a demanding workplace or even a new addition to your family. It is a common emotion that everybody feels at some time or another.

In some instances you may feel that stress is getting the best of you, with results that affect your health. The effects of elevated stress include high blood pressure, lack of sleep, weight problems and binge eating, and for this reason it is important to always be aware and monitor your stress levels.

If you feel that your stress is getting out of control, consider trying techniques to reduce stress. Here are some healthy ways to help reduce your stress.

Healthy Eating -- Keeping a healthy, balanced diet is the first step to managing stress. Be sure to include fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains in your daily diet. Specific fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated provide rich nutrients to your body and help support and strengthen your brain. You can find these fats in fish oil, peanut oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil. It is important to stay hydrated and limit your alcohol consumption.

Regular Exercise -- Stay active and stay motivated. Exercise gets you up and moving, providing a great and healthy distraction. By being physically active, you are releasing chemicals that help reduce anxiety by releasing stimulation of ‘feel good’ brain chemicals, called endorphins. This also helps to boost energy and burn fat. Plus, exercise will tire you out, allowing for a more sound sleep.

Supportive Network -- Study after study has shown the health benefits of friendship and family bonds. Confiding in a person about your stress can help alleviate some of it. Who knows, that other person may even be able to give you some helpful advice or offer a hand.

Vitamin Supplements -- Providing your body with the correct amount of nutrients keeps you emotionally and physically healthy. For instance, there are many benefits to taking high quality fish oil supplements as well as herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements. If you are unsure what supplements best suit you, be sure to consult with your local pharmacist to learn the additional benefits.

Stress is a normal, natural and unavoidable part of life. We all experience it. The key is to manage it properly and to minimize the negative health effects that it can create.

Steve Bernardi is a registered compounding pharmacist and co-owner of Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham (www.naturalcompounder.com). Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can email steve@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870. Find Johnson Compounding & Wellness on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnsoncompoundingandwellness and on Twitter @JCWC.