04 Feb Managing stress often overlooked key to staying healthy

Most people know that exercise and good nutrition are very important when it comes to good health. However, managing stress is another key component that’s often overlooked.
Some stress can actually be good — it can help you survive in dangerous situations.
However, if you let constant stress from certain life circumstances bring you down it can increase the odds of developing health problems such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and depression.
Healthfinder.gov lists some steps to help prevent or diminish stress that are really worth sharing. The website states that you can prevent or reduce stress by: planning ahead and deciding which tasks need to be done first, preparing for stressful events, noticing when you feel stressed and trying to adjust in the future, taking time to relax, getting active and eating healthy and talking to friends and family about the stresses in your life.
When it comes to exercise, shoot for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of physical activity. Find different ways to exercise and vary your routine to keep it interesting, but try to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Working out on a treadmill, elliptical or home gym are great ways to stay fit, but you can also mix in things like going for a walk or bike ride.
Avoiding alcohol and drugs will help manage stress as well. If you do consume alcohol, drink only in moderation (one or two drinks a day).
Finally, if stress simply can’t be managed then consider seeking professional help from someone like a psychologist or social worker.
Healthfinder.gov points out, “Lots of people need help dealing with stress – it’s nothing to be ashamed of!”

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com