| Stress... It's a fact of life; there's really no getting | | | | you down. Under sustained or severe stress, |
| around it. How you manage the stress though can | | | | even the most well-adjusted person loses the |
| mean the difference. | | | | ability to adapt. When stress overwhelms our |
| The body's natural relaxation response is a | | | | coping resources, our bodies and minds suffer. |
| powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques | | | | Science is constantly learning about the impact |
| such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can | | | | that stress has on your overall health. Recent |
| help you activate this relaxation response. When | | | | research suggests that anywhere from 60 to 90 |
| practiced regularly, these activities lead to a | | | | percent of illness is stress-related. The physical |
| reduction in your everyday stress level and boost | | | | wear and tear of stress includes damage to the |
| your feelings of peace and calm. They also help | | | | cardiovascular system and immune system |
| by teaching you how to stay calm and collected | | | | suppression. Stress can cause a miriad of health |
| when life throws you a curveball. | | | | problems, compromising your ability to fight off |
| The stress response floods your body with | | | | disease and infection, throws your digestive |
| chemicals that prepare you for "fight or flight." | | | | system off balance, makes it difficult to conceive |
| But, while this response is helpful in emergencies | | | | a baby, and can even stunt growth in children. |
| when you must be alert, chronic stress wears | | | | |