Stressed out after a long day at work?
You're not alone. More than 8 in 10 employed Americans are stressed out about their jobs, according to a 2013 survey.
If you think stress is just a new societal norm, think again: Excessive stress can seriously derail your health. In fact, people who reported being upset by and dwelling on daily stresses were also more likely to face chronic health problems 10 years down the road, according to a 2012 study. Some scary symptoms of stress include lowered libido, reduced immunity, and increased hair loss.
While there are definite health benefits to managing stress including reduced pain and improved heart health, be sure to nix your stress appropriately. Watching your favorite TV show or playing the latest video game to relieve after-work stress actually produces more feelings of guilt and shame, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Communication.
So tune out the TV and instead try these four ways to relieve stress.
1. Unplug, Shut Down, and Log Off
By 2015, scientists predict the average person will spend about 16 hours a day consuming media - including TV, social media, and phone time. Still, researchers have found that smartphones actually increase stress. And another report showed that the more people used Facebook, the more their happiness declined.
Lowering stress can be as easy as clicking a button - or rather, turning off your digital devices. Make your media time as well-balanced as your diet with these tips:
2. Eat These Foods
Your food choices can help you healthily manage your stress levels. Here are some foods to try next time you're feeling especially stressed.
3. Get Moving
Exercise is another healthy way to prevent stress, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. The study found that moderate physical activity helped people manage stress and anxiety - and the health benefits lasted even after the workout ended. Try these workouts for stress relief:
4. Aim for More - and More Restful - Sleep
A recent poll found that an estimated 70 percent of people who reported feeling stressed in the last month also experienced trouble sleeping. Poor sleep has been linked to lowered immunity, heart problems, and feelings of anxiety and depression. Stop stress in its tracks by practicing these better sleep tips:
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