Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any demand placed on it. Stress can create feelings of conflict and/or anxiety within an individual. Stress can stem from demands people place on themselves or from external situations.

Some stress is easily identified, such as increased financial responsibilities; while other stress, such as feeling that you must earn peer acceptance, may go undetected. If stress is not identified and resolved, it can progressively deteriorate the bodies ability to function.

Except for major catastrophes, few events are stressful in themselves. Stress arises when you perceive a situation as threatening or difficult to handle. How you view things determines the level of stress that particular situation or event will cause you. If you have very high expectations, chances are you'll experience more than your fair share of stress.

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices will affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with your body internal stress relief mechanisms.

The following lifestyle changes will boost your bodies resilience to stress:

Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations. Don't over commit yourself.
Have a sense of purpose in life. Clearly define your goals or aspirations and keep focused on them.
Get enough sleep, because your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
Limit your consumption of alcohol.
Don't smoke.

See also other related articles:

How can problem solving manage stress?
How can time management reduce stress?

 

If you experience high levels of stress in your life and the above lifestyle changes don't seem to be making any significant difference then you may be developing a stress induced depression. If this is you, don't despair because depression is a treatable condition of the mind and there are very effective techniques available to permanently release stress induced depression quickly and easily.

All emotional and physical symptoms of stress and depression are caused by how our minds perceive the stressful events - not by the event itself. The fact is that the human mind operates based on a principle of perception. If you "think" an event, situation or set of circumstances is stressful for you (regardless of the actuality of the event) then it will be. But if you "think" that same event is not stressful for you then it will not be detrimental to your emotional mindset.

Learn powerful techniques to release stress and overcome depression in just days by re-writing your minds perceptions of stressful events and why antidepressant medications are useless as a permanent stress relief solution.