Stress-Busters

Learning to cope effectively with stress is important in order to prevent physical and behavioral disorders that can undermine healthy aging. Each of us has a different capacity for handling stress. Some people thrive on situations that appear stressful to others. The key is knowing your tolerance for stress and managing stress level so that it doesn't affect your well-being. Living a stress-free existence is not a reasonable goal; rather we must learn to deal with stress actively and effectively.

Techniques that establish a sense of control and combat feelings of helplessness can help reduce stress. Stress-busters that have been proven to work include meditation, massage, exercise, and social support. Meditation relaxes the body and calms the mind which lowers the flow of stress hormones and reduces the heart rate and blood pressure. A massage is another effective way to relieve stress. Exercise appears to quell stress by releasing endorphins, improving the oxygen to the brain, and relieve tension in the muscles. Finally, support groups have been shown to extend the lives of people with skin or breast cancer. Talking to others or writing about your feelings can be very effective in reducing stress.