Beat Stress for Good

Its official, we are a nation of stressed individuals. Each year almost 13 million working days are lost due to stress, and according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) research, around half a million people believe they are experiencing stress at a level that is making them ill. So it is no surprise that we often need help with managing our hectic lifestyles.

Thankfully, stress is not usually life-threatening and just by following our ten tips below you will soon be able to manage the pressure and pains of modern society.

TOP TEN STRESS-BUSTERS
1 Drink More Water
Water is an essential part of our diet and if we deprive our bodies of this necessity we will become dehydrated and fatigued. We lose about two and half litres of water daily through sweating, exhaling and urinating, so it is vital we replenish our system by drinking eight glasses a day.

2 Get Your Five a Day
Only 67% of us are aware we should be eating at least five portions of fruit and veg each day, as they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, according to a Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey. A diet rich in iron also helps reduce stress especially when combined with fruit and veg, so our bodies can absorb maximum iron in food.

3 Take a Natural Supplement
There are many alternative ways to improve our health with natural supplements. The Worldwide Health suggests their Living Fountain American Ginseng. Dr Mark Atkinson, a holistic medical physician, says: Ginseng provides a general tonic to help people adjust to tension and worry. Not only does the herb promote resistance to stress but it can also enhance your mood and energy levels.

4 Exercise
You do not have to be a gym bunny to beat stress. Exercise releases happy hormones such as serotonin in your body, doctors even prescribe it for depression. Regular physical activity is a great way to cope with stress, helping you achieve focus and control of your life again. Just half an hour of brisk walking, cycling or swimming three times a week will help reduce anxiety and encourage peaceful sleep.

5 Stop Smoking
Smokers lead unhealthier lifestyles and tend to report higher levels of stress than non-smokers, according to research by the health charity No Smoking Day (NSD). Although you may experience some side effects for the first few weeks, your stress levels will drop significantly.

6 Relaxation Techniques
Taking just 20 minutes of deep relaxation a day can make a real difference to your stress levels. Choose an activity you enjoy from yoga and meditation to simple stretching which will gradually lift your mood as well as improve muscle strength, flexibility and breathing.

7 Music Therapy
Whether walking in the park or relaxing in a bubbly bath, spending some quality time alone while playing music will drastically reduce stress levels. Listening to calming music can lower blood pressure and elevate your mood, promoting feelings of serenity. Self-help and motivation CDs such as Worldwide Health Guided Relaxation Audio CD can help you respond to lifes hurdles in a more calm and collected way.

8 Get Your Essential Fatty Acids
Stocking up on healthy fats that are rich in Omega 3s will enhance your cardiovascular and immune system while its anti-inflammatory properties will help combat stress. Good fats can be found in sunflower and virgin olive oil, avocado, fish, soybeans and sesame and pumpkin seeds.

9 Its Good to Talk
The motto a problem shared is a problem halved is still true today. We regularly need moral support to solve stressful situations and a local therapist or advisor can provide a reassuring shoulder to cry on. Talking to someone can help identify the reasons for stress and illustrate ways to remove or reduce them. But if the thought of paying for professional help is stress in itself then advice from a good friend or partner can be just as effective. Laughter is another fantastic remedy because it releases the stress hormone cortisol.p>

10 Get Some Sleep
A good nights sleep is vital to a healthy life and if we dont get enough shut eye we can feel sluggish, irritable and distracted. Dr Mark Atkinson says: Sleep has a considerable impact on stress levels, not to mention illness and infection. Try to get at least seven or eight hours sleep every night so your body can repair and replenish itself. If you cant drift off, write a list of all your worries and briefly plan how you can manage them later.