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• Stress Management Tips
  Simple and easy ways to relieve stress

Stress Management for the Stressed Out
By Katie B. Smith

We live in a time of rapid change and dramatic choices. People today are stressed out, depressed and lured to destructive and addictive behaviors and relationships. Why? To release pain, confusion, a sense of isolation and the powerlessness that comes from feeling out of control. But addictions don't get rid of stress. They only waylay it. And although you can't avoid stress completely, you can choose how to experience it, and learn to manage it.

Stress is simply the body's adaptation to change. It is how you respond whenever an internal or external event occurs. It could be as simple as a change in room temperature or as debilitating as losing your job. In either case, your body creates its own individual stress response pattern in an attempt to write the balance. In chronic stress, the hormone cortisol, a steroid, is released from the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. In moderate amounts, cortisol is a good thing. It provides many benefits, such as maintaining arousal. But when produced in excess day after day, it is toxic. Is your body out to get you when that happens? No. It is merely sending distress signals. It needs help. It needs balance. And if you don't heed it, eventually, you will face serious health problems.

What are your choices when it comes to managing stress? The "outer approach" focuses on controlling the external circumstances. In other words, treating the symptom instead of the source. That's what happens when you reach for a drink or a smoke, hide on the coach with the remote control, or hunch over your computer surfing the 'net, a bag of potato chips by your side. These approaches may seem to get rid of stress, but in actuality, they don't. They only stave off the inevitable. In the long run, the stress will still be there.

The "inner approach" targets the stress from the inside out, where stress resides. Stress is blocked energy and when you unblock the energy by something as simple as breathing or moving your body, the stress dislodges. Granted, you'll still have challenges, but you'll be able to manage them. And when a car cuts in front of you, or a co-worker does something that annoys you, stop, take some deep belly breaths and watch your body change directions-toward health and balance.

Easy Ways to Reduce Stress:

• Close your eyes and breath through your nose long and deep-belly in and out-for 1-3 minutes.
• Focus on a positive word and repeat it every time you breathe.
• Exercise your navel point-the place in your body where a positive mind resides-by doing leg lifts, sit-ups and any other positions that bring energy to that area of your body.