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In our fast-paced life, stress has pretty much become par for the course. Stress is everywhere. However, do we ever stop to think what stress is doing to us? And while a little stress is fine, too much stress can actually make you sick - both mentally and physically.

Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they’re real or perceived. It means different things to different people. What causes stress in one person may be of little concern to another.

Our bodies are designed to handle small doses of stress. But we are not equipped to handle long-term, chronic stress without ill consequences.

So how do we handle stress, so it doesn’t get the better of us? Here are some ideas:

1. Get arty

Did you know that you can use art to express your creative side, reduce stress, and get in touch with your feelings? Art is a great stress relief tool. Research has found that just 45 minutes of creative activity can reduce your stress, regardless of artistic experience or talent. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and unleash your inner Michelangelo!

2. Be dramatic

Pretending to be a different person can be very liberating. If your day-to-day life is very stressful, joining a drama class or group can be a great way to leave the rest of the day behind and enjoy being in another character’s shoes for a while!

3. Exercise to relax

Physical exertion is controlled by the motor cortex in our brains. So, when we exercise, this area is hard at work and requires much of the resources available to the entire brain. The result is that the prefrontal cortex, which controls our emotional response to stress, lacks resources simply cannot maintain the state of being stressed. Its activity level decreases… and the stress level is reduced. Simple!

4. Take time to travel

There is something about travel that makes you feel better. According to research, travel does not only enrich your brain power, but it also strengthens your heart health because those who get away from their work and homes are typically less stressed and less anxious, decreasing the strain on their hearts.

5. Read a book

It is a proven fact that reading can help reduce stress and it can be a wonderful and healthy escape from the stress of everyday life. Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. Try to set aside half an hour to read every day in a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.

Authored by the Finerton.com News Team (Malta)
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