The longer I practice, the more I see the evidence that stress is the #1 reason for most if not all health problems. Many of us don't realize the multitude of ways we invite stress into our lives -- stress that is both unnecessary and could be easily managed through simple changes in lifestyle that pay very large dividends.

These days it is almost impossible to go more than an hour without hearing somebody -- whether on TV or radio, or at the grocery store -- talking about the state of the economy. Most people love to have drama, something to "latch onto" to bring a sense of urgency and emergency into their lives. It also helps them feel better when they see others reacting to the drama as well. It is the prime example of the adage "misery loves company".

This scenario is acted out in a host of other ways: The boss' bad attitude today, the wreck on the freeway that caused an extra 30 minute delay getting into work, the sudden but unavoidable extra expense that popped up this month.

The arrival of any bad news brings the temptation to start worrying about it. Yet, when you really think about it, how much control do you have over the state of the whole US and world economy, or your boss' attitude, or the driving habits of someone who left for work 10 minutes before you did?

So, the first step in reducing stress is to get in the habit of taking a constant inventory of what you are worrying about. Ask yourself, "Can I solve this problem? Is this something I can change?" If the answer is no, then drop it immediately, and each time it tries to come back into your mental stream, remind yourself that you can't control it, and drop it again.

If you haven't already, developing this habit is one of the best things you can possibly do for yourself.

Most of us like to stay up watching TV or surfing the web. Or, if you are like me, late night is the time to get caught up on all the things you didn't have time to do during the day. (Owning a business is so great!)

Whatever your reasons for staying up late night after night, it is important to understand the cost to your body's stress response mechanisms. Sleep is your body's essential healing and recovery tool.

Every night you stay up late and get less than 7 - 8 hours of rest, you are taking precious time away from your body's restoration process. The next day your body is behind on its repair work, and this causes stress to your cells, tissues, and glands as they try to compensate and cope with even more stress that they can't fully recover from.

When your body is tired, your thoughts are less clear, your actions less efficient, your words less direct. A well-rested body ensures that you can get more done in less time, with more clarity and energy. That alone reduces stress in spades.

So, stress relief tactic #2 is simple -- go to bed earlier. Do you really need to watch David Letterman? Does the 10 o'clock news really enlighten you that much? Find a way to wind things down by 9:30PM, and have a nice, quiet 30 - 60 minutes before you go to bed.

Do this for one week, and you will see amazing results, guaranteed. They don't call it "beauty rest" for nothing!

When your cells and tissues are starved for nutrients, they send out distress signals. These signals prompt an emergency release of stored energy that your body has been saving for a rainy day.

Your body invokes its "fight or flight" response in order to access these energy reserves.

So, by starving your body, you are just adding more stress to your day!

Which brings us to stress relief tactic #3: Eat breakfast, even if it's something as simple as a quick protein shake, or a couple of hard-boiled eggs. Instead of being in panic mode, your body will be ready for the challenges of the day.

A quick tip: Don't eat a carb-heavy breakfast. Carbs tend to burn faster and cause a crash. Avoid breads and too much fruit. Emphasize protein from eggs, dairy, and whole grains such as oatmeal.

It is easy to become overburdened by obligation. You already know what you HAVE to do. But, don’t forget what you LIKE to do.

Fun is a powerful stress reliever. When you have fun, you naturally relax. When you forget to have fun, instead focusing most or all of your time on your obligations to other people, life becomes a grind that slowly and surely steals your most precious asset – your vitality.

When you make time to have fun, you are expressing concern and kindness for yourself. And, when you include friends in your fun activities like playing games, enjoying a great meal, or watching a funny movie, you are magnifying that healing energy.

So, my fourth stress relief strategy is to plan at least one fun activity per week. You can invite friends or family, or you can do something that is more solitary like reading a good book or going to the driving range. Whatever your fun activity is, just do it, and the sooner the better!

We all make mistakes in life – some small, some not-so-small. With mistakes come regret and remorse. One sure-fire way to create unnecessary additional stress in your life is to be your own worst critic. Most of us have that tendency, and learning how to let it go is one of the great stress relievers of all time.

The next time you find yourself being critical of something you said or did, whether it is something in the immediate past or something that happened long ago, take a few deep breaths. Step outside yourself for a minute, and talk to yourself like you are your own best friend.

What would your best friend tell you after your boss just expressed disappointment in you? What would he or she say if you forgot to pay a bill on time? If it is a true best friend, he or she would offer support, encouragement, and hope.

Be this kind of supportive, encouraging friend to yourself, and you will find that life’s ups and downs become less steep. Another great side-effect of this practice is that you will naturally find yourself being a better friend to others.

---

Please feel free to send me an email if you have specific questions about this information. I am always happy to help.