What's Going On?

No matter what you think about our being at war with another country, whether the war is about oil or protecting us from terrorists, war creates anxiety for each of us. We are already burdened with spending a good deal of our time working at fast-paced jobs and then leaving to be stuck in traffic. But hearing daily reports of an increasing number of bombings and soldiers killed or maimed for life a world away can take its toll on us.

To add to this, we are hearing more about natural disasters and death and displacement due to fires in the west, floods in the east, hurricanes in the south and earthquakes around the globe. This leaves many of us asking, "What's going on?"

Though we have been warned for years about global warming from our use of fossil fuels, scientists are not in complete agreement that global warming is what is sparking those added circumstances to our realities. But just as everyone knew that cigarettes were bad for our health, no matter what the tobacco industry reported, each of us knows deep inside that our polluting ways can't be good for the Earth or our own health. The combinations of all of these daily events adds a great deal of stress that affects our well being and overall health.

There is no question about the negative effects on the mind and body when stress becomes overbearing. Mental diseases, bad attitudes, heart disease and lower immune system functioning are just some of the problems associated with stressful lifestyles. To make things worse, each of these conditions make us more susceptible to other diseases and viruses.

Reducing Stress in Your Life

1- Lessen Your Exposure
This is the easiest of all solutions to deal with mounting stress. Simply turning the television off, or off more often, will lessen the amount of time you are exposed to the ongoing onslaught of news which concentrates on negative aspects of life.

2- Be sure to Exercise Daily
Daily exercise is a stress reliever. It also increases your body's ability to produce immune system response through improved blood flow and oxygen intake, providing a stronger capability to fight attacks to your system. In addition, stronger bodies are more able to deal with the unpleasant results of incoming viruses and diseases.

3- Improve your Diet
Antioxidants naturally fight negative effects from poor lifestyle behaviors. Negative chemical reactions that are created internally through normal oxidation processes of body functioning are reduced by improved diet. Eating more fruits & vegetables throughout the day is the best way to increase natural antioxidant levels in your body. Another way to ensure you get the vitamins you need is to take a daily multi-vitamin.

4- Take up a Hobby
Begin a new hobby or sport, something that you enjoy doing and that allows you to get away from the day-to-day stresses. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself by trying something that is new or unfamiliar to you. Another good hobby is reading more books.

5- Evaluate Your Existence
Lower your negative output both environmentally and in personal encounters. This means doing more of the right things by being sure to recycle, drive less, pollute less, maybe even trade in your gas guzzler for something more economical. Your subconscious will be more positive when you know that you are personally making a difference.

This is also true with your daily encounters with others. Say "Hi" more often to strangers; be friendlier with the clerk at the counter or the waiter serving you. As tough as it may be, try to be a more courteous driver, even if the other driver is wrong. These small acts of kindness are rewarded oftentimes by reciprocation and an improved mental attitude, as there is more positive in your life.

These are trying times for all of us, and it is easy to get caught up in all that is going on around the world, but this doesn't mean that it has to be more stressful for you.

Remember, YOU have the POWER!

By BioD

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