GREENSBORO, N.C. (PRWEB)
August 11, 2020

2020 has not been the year most of us expected it to be. It’s been quite a period of adjustment with changes affecting everyone. Needless to say, with so much uncertainty comes a lot of stress for many. Whether you’re acclimated to dealing with stress or not, it’s not something you need to face alone — Market America | SHOP.COM is here to help!

The term stress is often lumped together with the word “anxiety” and it’s important to note that the two are very different. Medical News Today clarifies stress versus anxiety as “Stress tends to be short term and in response to a recognized threat. Anxiety can linger and can sometimes seem as if nothing is triggering it.” So, while our tips may help if you find yourself suffering from anxiety, it is always important to seek the opinion of a medical professional as well.

Believe it or not, there is actually both good and bad stress. The American Institute of Stress breaks down stress into four different types: acute stress, chronic stress, distress and eustress. Acute stress is related to “fight or flight” and situations in which the body prepares to defend itself. Chronic stress refers to the “uncontrolled stress” that we ignore, letting it build up. It can stem from a lot of causes, such as bills or relationships, and can lead to health problems in the future if we continue to ignore it. Distress is also caused by similar factors such as negative feelings, work difficulties, etc… Distress is different from chronic stress, though, because it is stress we deal with regularly that’s not ignored long term like chronic stress is. For example, a few tough days at work is most likely distress because it is temporary stress we deal with whereas chronic stress would be caused by long term stressors that get ignored such as underlying relationship issues or constant financial stress. Last but not least is eustress, a/k/a good stress. This is stress in daily life that has positive connotations like job promotions, marriage/happy relationships and others.

Stress can have significant effects on the body and mind. Chronic stress is typically the culprit when it comes to physical and mental effects of stress. From stomach aches, tense muscles and high blood pressure to fertility problems, risk of heart attack and a weakened immune system, stress can really take its toll on our bodies. Here are five ways to help manage your stress.

1. Accept Stress: It’s best to acknowledge that we can’t make all of our stress disappear, and that’s okay! Life is not meant to be full of only great days, because without the bad ones we would never appreciate the good ones.

2. Meditation and Mindfulness: Implementing meditation into your daily routine can be life changing! In short, meditation is both a mind and body practice that focuses on mindfulness, which is essentially the interactions between your brain, mind, body and behavior. When you meditate, you’re shifting your attention from day-to-day worries and focusing on the connection between your brain and body. According to Harvard Health, the act of meditation can trigger the relaxation response, a common antidote to stress. By setting aside time each day to focus on your breathing, body and thoughts, you can learn how to more easily and successfully manage your response to stress and external triggers. If you’re stuck at home with the kids, check out this video for mindful meditation with the kids! Next comes breathing exercises. These are beneficial because taking slow and deep breaths sends your body into a state of relaxation. Check out these simple breathing exercises to try out! Last but not least are mental exercises. From meditation to journaling, or even just talking out your problems with a friend or counselor, focusing on understanding your thoughts is another way to aid in reducing stress.

3. Exercise: Exercise is very beneficial for many reasons, one of which is that it greatly aids in reducing stress. Here’s the twist: It’s not just physical exercise that provides benefits! By using a combination of bodily exercises, breathing exercises and mental exercises, you can better equip yourself to handle stress. To determine what you want to try first, here is how each type of exercise aids in reducing stress. Aerobic exercise helps with stress in two ways: behaviorally and through neurochemicals. For example, physical exercise provides you with a sense of control and self-confidence as well as providing a way to enjoy solitude and not have to focus on your worries. It also stimulates the production of endorphins which are responsible for the feelings of relaxation and optimism. As for the neurochemical impacts, exercise is shown to reduce the levels of your stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

4. Pet a Furry Friend: It has been shown that interacting with animals may decrease our levels of cortisol (the stress-related hormone) as well as lower blood pressure. Unless you’re someone who has a strong dislike of animals, pets are a great way to aid in reducing stress as well as provide emotional support. From encouraging you to get moving to improving your mood, your little furry friends do more than sit there and look cute! Studies have even shown that when facing a stressful task, people felt less stressed when their pets were present rather than when their spouse or friend was present.

5. Supplements: Supplements may seem like the easiest route to implement a solution into your daily routine, but it’s important to remember that they shouldn’t be the end-all be-all approach. Like most things, the most efficient way to figure out the top ways you can combat stress is through trial and error. You may want to start off implementing one of these tips at a time into your routine and see which ones you enjoy the most or see the best result from. If you’ve reached the point where you’ve found a few ways that have helped you manage your stress but you want a little extra support, check out a supplement like Bliss®Anti-Stress Formula. Market America’s Director of nutraMetrix® and Clinical Education, Dr. Deedra Mason, has discussed the many benefits of introducing this supplement to help manage stress’ negative effects.* This supplement promotes relaxation without drowsiness, helps maintain healthy levels of both serotonin and dopamine, promotes mental clarity, helps enhance and stabilize your mood and more!* If you’re looking for a supplement that helps enhance and stabilize mood as well as supporting healthy sleep quality then check out Isotonix Essentials® Turn Down.* From promoting sleep and supporting healthy sleep quality to assisting in releasing mental tension and promoting calmness and relaxation, it’s packed with benefits that help you unwind from the day.* For a supplement that promotes healthy levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and helps maintain normal thyroid function, check out TLS® ACTS Adrenal, Cortisol, Thyroid & Stress Support Formula.* By helping reduce stress placed on the adrenal glands to perform, it helps to decrease the possibility of adrenal fatigue as well.* Last but not least is Thymenol™. From supporting healthy brain function and promoting feelings of calmness to supporting memory, cognition and attention and promoting feelings of physical and mental comfort, Thymenol is a beneficial option in helping to balance emotions in stressful situations.* Make sure to check with your doctor before starting anything new!

If you feel like you are overwhelmed with stress, you are not alone. There are resources available, including the ones listed below.

Immediate Emergencies

Suicide, Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Assault Resources

Crisis Lines and Online Chats

• TeenLine: (310) 855-HOPE (4673), (800) TLC-TEEN (852-8336) (U.S. and Canada only), Or text TEEN to 839863 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time, every night
• Crisis Call Center: 800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863 Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
• Crisis Text Line (U.S. only) Text HELLO to 741741 or message us at facebook.com/CrisisTextLine to chat with a Crisis Counselor. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week

Substance Abuse Disorder and Mental Health

Market America | SHOP.COM is a global product brokerage and internet marketing company that specializes in one-to-one marketing and is the creator of The Shopping Annuity®.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Share article on social media or email: