Reduce the stress in life

Staying fit, by Anya Petersen-Frey

"Oh no, I'm late!"

"Where are the car keys??"

"Turn that down!"

Noisier, faster, less forgiving. Sometimes it seems like life is stuck in overdrive and there is no way to get it into a slower gear.

Stress is a natural part of life. Good stress and bad stress. But the often frantic pace of today makes many people feel as though they are in a constant state of emergency. The fun in life dissipates and health can start deteriorating.

When stress is encountered the body responds in a manner similar to a physical threat. The "flight or fight" response begins. As the body gears up to face a challenge hormones are released that causes the body to shift into a higher gear. The heart may beat faster, blood pressure can increase and muscles often tighten. Among the more common signs of stress are headaches, indigestion, sleeplessness and sweaty palms. Stress can cause forgetfulness and a feeling of unhappiness, nervousness or anger. If these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to make some changes to reduce the stress in life.

Chronic stress does not need to rule your life. It's one thing to be aware of stress in daily life but it's another to know how to change it. Look at day-to-day activities and see what changes will make life simpler for yourself. There are some stressors that can be controlled and some than can't. Concentrate on events you can change. For situations beyond your control, look for ways to adapt but remain calm under what may be difficult circumstances.

The Mayo Clinic suggests considering the following changes to your regular routine:

Plan your day. Do unpleasant tasks early so you can avoid last-minute rushes.

Simplify your schedule. Delegate responsibility to others at home or work and say no to added commitments.

Take breaks. Take time to stretch, relax or take a walk throughout the day.

Exercise regularly. Exercise is one of the best all-around antidotes to stress.

Sleep. Get enough sleep so you have the energy to face each day.

Eat well. The right mix of nutrients will keep your body systems working efficiently and better able to deal with stress or pain.

Break your routine. Occasionally change the pace. Explore new territory or take a weekend getaway.

Be positive. Laugh, spend time with positive people, avoid negative self-talk.

Stay connected. Recognize when you need support of family and friends.

Patience. Making changes and improving your lifestyle take time but the outcome will be worth it.

Engage family in efforts to reduce the stress in life. Often if you are feeling the effects of stress, those around you feel it as well. And your stress may be increasing theirs! One of the most important tools in reducing stress is to treat yourself more like a friend and less like an enemy. Give yourself the benefit of a doubt. Give yourself a break. You deserve it.

Anya Petersen-Frey is a local fitness instructor.