by Janette Peel

Created on: February 23, 2008

It's hard to avoid stress, but learning how to recognize the causes of tension in your life will help you to manage tasks more effectively.

Believe it or not, some stress is good for you. It provides you with energy and motivation, improves your performance, so that you are more likely to achieve your goals, and gives you satisfaction when you have achieved them.

Prolonged stress can have a negative effect on your health, however. It drains you of energy and leads to stress-related symptoms, such as headaches and indigestion. Long-term stress can raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart disease and having a stroke, and may affect your immunity.

You must learn to recognize stress, spot the warning signs, understand the causes and learn and to reduce your anxiety levels. There are various forms of stress relief, including relaxation techniques and complementary therapies.

Stress hormones constrict blood vessels; inhibit the production of endorphins, (natural painkillers) and lower immunity. With the lowering of your stress levels, you may notice some of the following changes, as your body reverts back to its normal, healthy state:

Your heart rate will slow down, your blood pressure will fall and your circulation will improve.

Tension in your muscles will ease and you will sleep better, you'll also feel fewer nagging aches and pains.

You'll breathe more easily and will be less susceptible to illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Your concentration will improve, and you will have more patience for people around you.

Discover ways in which to avoid and relieve unnecessary stress, improving your quality of life.

1. Planning your stress-free life One of the keys to reducing stress levels is learning how to manage your time more efficiently and taking firmer control of your life. By better prioritizing your time, you will be able to set yourself more realistic goals, freeing up essential time for leisure and relaxation. Ways to achieve this might include setting up helpful routines, for example, tidying up your desk at work at the end of each day, so that you will be more organized for the following morning.

2. Learning to relax and unwind Another important part of keeping stress under control is taking regular timeout to relax. You will learn the importance of splitting your time between work and leisure, so that you get the balance right and learn to prioritize and delegate tasks. You will also discover new ways to rest and unwind with complementary therapies

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