Stress seems to be an almost common condition these days.  We’ve just gotten past the holiday season and now tax time is fast closing in on us.  Wow!  We don’t need any extra stress!

There can be many causes for stress in our lives.  Whatever its cause, prolonged stress can ultimately lead to health issues like depression, obesity, asthma, heart disease, cancer, sleeplessness, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and even Alzheimer’s disease.  In addition, any condition you’re currently dealing with can be worsened by stress.

So what can we do to relieve some of the stress in our lives? Incorporating meditation, exercise, plenty of sleep and, good-eating habits into your daily routine is a great start.

Take note of how you react to situations.  Monitor your stress levels and ask yourself if a situation is really as bad as it seems.  If it is, think about what you can do to minimize your exposure to such situations.  Search for ways of controlling or even eliminating some of the stress triggers in your life.

Take inventory of all the positives in your life, and be grateful for them.  We often take the good things for granted, and sometimes just need to remind ourselves of how lucky we truly are.

Reconnect with nature, spirit, and yourself.  Surround yourself with nature, take peaceful walks, listen to soft music, visit happy places and keep good friends.  All of these precious things can help neutralize the stress in our lives.

Namaste!