What is the number one cause of stress and the best way to relieve it?

Our question today comes to us from Robert in New Orleans. What is the number one cause of stress and the best way to relieve it?

In a telephone survey, 47% of all Americans are stressed out according to the American Psychological Association (Stambor, 2006). In addition, more than half of working adults are stressed, highlighting the stress of having a job. With regards to the health effects of stress, it is associated with anxiety and depression, as well as high blood pressure and obesity (Stambor, 2006).

There are numerous causes of stress, but the number one cause of stress is job pressure. There is tension between co-workers and bosses. There is also resentment of being overworked and underpaid. The second biggest stressor is money. People worry about their finances, which have to do with being underpaid, spending too much, inflation, or being unemployed. Then the next biggest stressor is health. When you are stressed, you do not take care of yourself, as you are not exercising, not eating right, and not getting enough sleep. In addition, your body reacts to the stress by suppressing your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to illness.

The best way to relieve stress is as follows:

• Exercise

Exercise helps to use up all that nervous energy that is building up tension in your body. Also, endorphins that are released during exercise can help to soothe you.

• Meditation

The next time you’re stressed out, try to take a few minutes to practice meditation and breathing.

• Healthy eating

Oftentimes when we are stressed, we are also really busy and in a rush, so we might eat fast food and other junk that we shouldn’t be putting in our bodies. So eat healthy to get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body needs to recover from stress. There are also foods that help to decrease anxiety.

• Rest

When you are stressed, your sleep tends to become disrupted. Institute a regular sleep-wake cycle to help you get adequate sleep each night, as this is needed for recovery from stress.

Take care of yourself and take the time to use techniques to reduce the effects stress and anxiety.