Nowadays Stress Relaxation Techniques should be a part of everyday life to overcome stress … After all, daily stress is a part of most people’s lives. For example; If you’re very young and going to school there’s the stress of fitting in with your friends and exams.  When you get older there’s the pressure of finding a career, work related stress, financial independence and raising a family.  As you age your body’s defense system doesn’t work as well.  Unfortunately, this same defense system is greatly affected over time by stress.  In other words … Placing yourself in positions of Stress with very little Stress Relief will cause your immune system to age prematurely.  Stress is also linked to illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s just to name a few.

Stress and Premature Aging

A study published by National Academy of Sciences found that stress can cause a person’s immune system to age prematurely.  The study discussed the caps on the end of chromosomes called telomeres.  As a cell divides the telomeres in that cell shorten.  When the telomeres become too short the cell can no longer replenish itself. This is why we age, and the reason we are unable to live forever.

The research showed a test that checked the telomeres and stress levels of 58 healthy pre-menopausal women.  The results were amazing.  On average, women that experience constant stress had an immune system 10 years older than their current age.  Although the study explained they weren’t exactly sure of the impact they did have a very plausible theory that Hormones released during stress are shortening the telomeres and cutting the life span of cells.  Imagine for a moment the number of illnesses your body will attract if your immune system is permanently compromised.

The Good News on Stress and Relaxation Techniques

Being aware how stress affects the body is the first part.  The second comes through finding real positive Natural Stress Relief Techniques.  The greatest ways to get control of stress come from surrounding your self with friends and family, maintaining a positive outlook, consistent exercise and effective relaxation techniques. 

Effective Relaxation Techniques should include: Relaxation Breathing Techniques, guided meditation/ stress relief CD’s, Relaxation Programs and Visualization Techniques.  Each method is a great way to release any built up tension and prevent the effects of long term stress.  This combined with a healthy diet and adequate sleep will make all the difference to you living a long and healthy life.

Stress Relief Techniques … If you don’t do them will you get fat? When doing a little research on the subject I have come to believe there is a solid link between the 2.

You see, our body contains a system called the neuroendocrine system which activates a series of hormones whenever we feel threatened or stressed.  Many years ago this system was useful to assist us in fleeing when there was danger near. 

The Hormones released include adrenalin (for the burst of energy), corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and Cortisol (helps us to replenish our bodies after the stress has passed).  The downside is Cortisol can hang around in our system for a while after the stress and cause your appetite to increase.

This system is great when you’re under physical danger but isn’t so good on the everyday stress that we all face like paying the bills, work pressure and family pressures.  In other words your neuro-endocrine system can’t tell the difference between non-physical stresses and still responds with the need to replenish your system – or eat.

By listening to the messages from the neuro-endocrine system can not only lead to weight gain, but also leads to visceral fat which is fat that lies around the stomach area of the body and increases the rate of heart disease and diabetes.

What does that all mean?  Put simply, if you experience stress you are more likely to gain weight.  This is interesting when you consider more people are under stress today than 30 years ago and we currently have a record obesity rate.  Interesting.

It all comes back to Stress Relief Techniques and playing a part in learning how to

a) Release built up Stress

b) Developing new methods for handling Stress

There are many forms of Natural Stress Relief available to show you how to handle stress more effectively and release built up stress.  There options available include: Stress Relief CD’s, Relaxation Programs, Stress Management Activities and Relaxation Breathing Techniques.  Whether you like it or not stress is in everyone’s life. It’s more a question of how you handle it.

In today’s society we place so many demands on ourselves it’s understandable why the need to seek Stress Relief is increasing.  Consider how much our lives have changed from over a century ago – what sort of lifestyle do you think your average person would have and do you think they were under more or less stress than we are today? 

By developing a balanced lifestyle of work and play you can become even more effective at what you do and gain new life skills. 

If you are working exceptionally long hours or your main focus is just your job that it’s even more understandable that will experience stress at work.  When we take on a role we like to take ownership of that role, warts and all.  We like to develop it and grow with it.  As a result the overall instances of work related stress are on the increase.  I think we’re just taking our jobs too seriously.  Have you ever seen the type of person (perhaps your one) that always frowns and looks upset?  Or the person that seems to freak out at the smallest things like they’re experiencing an anxiety panic attack?

It is important to want to grow with a new position or you career, yet the old saying ‘everything in moderation’ definitely applies to your job.  Any great career involves a balance of work and relaxation.  It is important in any job to have time for yourself.  Take up a hobby, go dancing, do some gardening.  Any of these are good examples of Stress Relaxation Techniques. The key here is to occupy your mind with something totally different than your job.  This will give you a fresh perspective on your job and will help you to be more focused.

There are also several stress management skills that would be of benefit to experience: Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. 

These Stress Relief Exercises can be developed over a period of time to prevent you from experiencing any long term stress damage and are available as a part of many Relaxation Programs.  Find some balance in your lifestyle.  If you’re working too many hours, cut back.  If you don’t have a hobby, get one.  Take the time for yourself, you deserve it.  These are the keys to less stress in your life and will help you to gain new life experience.