by Erin Blubaugh

Created on: July 27, 2010   Last Updated: July 31, 2010

It grips, strangles and paralyzes, attacking from all sides.  It has plagued humanity for years, yet too many people lack success in coping with daily stress, even when it is so critical to do so.  According to Dr. Andrew Weil, “Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, accidents and suicide.”  Anyone who has been crippled by an excess of stress understands that you can neither avoid nor ignore it.  Although we can’t always control the elements that cause us stress, we can take certain measures to prevent its damage. 

Just Breathe

Put away the Tums for a moment and focus on your breath.  Sound easy?  Do it ten times without letting distractions interrupt.  One great way to take a break from chronic stress is to take a few moments to simply breathe, counting each breath until you reach ten.  Soon you will notice your breath slowing and your body relaxing back to a healthier state.  Not only is this an advantageous way to clear immediate stress, but taking time in the morning to meditate on your breath will actually help mitigate its effects throughout the day. 

Laugh

The immune system’s response to laughter has led to that legendary maxim about laughter as medicine.  Whether your guilty pleasure stems from Youtube videos of people slipping or wacky jokes, engage in some much-needed laughter every day.   By elevating your mood, not only will you reduce stress, you’ll also stave off colds and infections due to increased immunity.

Drink

When life becomes overwhelming, it’s easy to pick up an alcoholic beverage.  Often, that only leads to heightened anxiety.  Try this instead:  consume a cup of freshly-made juice.  Choosing a vegetable-infused cup of juice three times a day will replenish the water-soluble vitamins you need to feel your best, which will make you less likely to feel run-down or stressed out.  The best bet is to buy your own juicer, but for those already short on time, head to the local Trader Joe’s for a cost-effective dose of green juice.  Jamba Juice and V8 also have their versions of juices that will help get you through the day.

What To do?

At a point when balancing work and home life has your back against a wall, one bit of advice immensely reduces insanity:  to do lists.  By writing down exactly what needs to be accomplished and prioritizing,

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