Anti-stress strategies: how to keep stressors at bay

Kids. Work. Relationships. These are things that can give color to our lives. They can also be a source of stress. Research has linked stress to many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, depression, sleep disorders and ulcers. Stress also can aggravate diseases like cancer and mental disorders. According to Dr. Lorenzo Cohen, professor and director of integrative medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center:

“Chronic stress affects almost every system in our bodies and wreaks havoc on their functioning. It weakens the immune system, affects tumor development and makes it harder for your body to remain healthy.”

That is why we need to keep stressors at bay. Researchers at MD Anderson shares with us 5 tips on how to beat stress, as follows:

• Yoga or seated meditation
  “Movement-based mind-body activities like yoga are very helpful forms of stress management,” Cohen says. “Yoga’s focus on gentle movements, breathing and meditation helps relax both the mind and body.”
  There are other forms of meditations aside from yoga that help drive stressors away. Try them out to see what works out for you.
• Music or art therapy
  Music and art therapies have a relaxing effect on the mind and the body. These therapies have even been shown to help in healing.
• Hiking. There is nothing like exercise to get rid of stress hormones. And outdoor physical exercise is the best. Walking, jogging and hiking bring the additional benefits of fresh air and vitamin D from the sun. I’ve just got back from a 10-km walk with my kids. It feels great!
• Massage
  Treating yourself to a massage from time to time can do wonders. Kneading and stretching tense muscles – especially on the neck, shoulders, back and feet – feels wonderful. A massage doesn’t get rid of stress in the long-term but it is a great way to give your body a break.
  “Massage won’t eliminate stress for the long-run,” Cohen says, “but it can really help lessen tension short-term.”
• Beware of sugar
  Stress can lead to sugar cravings and binge eating. Don’t give in. Find healthier alternatives to your sugar cravings. I always go for fresh fruit and a small piece of dark chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Share with us your anti-stress strategies. Let us from you!

In addition to these tips from MD Anderson, I have my own anti-stress strategies:

• Watch a “feel good” film that you’ve seen before. There are films I love to watch over and over again – no surprises there anymore – that gives me such good feeling afterwards. My favorites are Forest Gump, A Beautiful Mind and Mama Mia. However, you shouldn’t get chilled in front of the TV that often as too much screen time is not good for your health.
• Sit down with a favorite book. Here are my favorite volumes that I read over and over again: To Kill a Mocking Bird, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Frogs, Flies, and Dandelions, A Short History of Almost Everything.
• Try out a new recipe. I go through my cookbooks and check out what’s yummy and healthy that I haven’t tried yet. With luck, I might come up with a masterpiece.

Share with us your anti-stress strategies. Let us from you!