When you finally arrive home after a rough day,your Spouse/Mate is irritated with you because you forgot to put out the trash and let the dog (or) cat out before you left the house in the morning,and now there's a big mess to clean up.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF STRESS!! Stress seems to be an inescapable reality of today's modern world.It has been linked to many disorders,ranging from Allergies to Asthma,from all kinds of stomach and digestive problems,to Cancer and Heart problems.In fact,some Drs. estimate that atleast 80% of their patients have stress-related symptoms.

Stress is characterized by feelings of fear,dread,and/or anxiety,accompanied by a variety of physical side effects,including: muscle tension,changes in heart rate and/or blood pressure,respiration,hormonal balance,metabolism,and IMMUNE FUNCTI0N.It also effects levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine.Stress is another word for FEAR, often a low-level of fear,maintained chronically over a period of time.

Severe or Chronic stress can cause numerous mental and physical disorders including:Anxiety,Depression,Dyspepsia,Heart Palpitations,Muscular Aches and Pains,(including back-aches,headaches,,neck and shoulder aches),Depressed Immune System Response,Hormonal Inbalance,Kidney Disease,Cancer,High Blood Pressure,Stroke,Sleeplessness,Moodiness,Irritabilty,Memory Problems.

So,what are some HEALTHY AND NATURAL WAYS TO GET A HANDLE ON STRESS? Read on to learn more.

FOODS TO EAT:

Whole Grains promote the production of the brain neurotransmitter,SEROTONIN,which increases your sense of well-being.
Green,Yellow,and Orange Vegetables are all rich in minerals,vitamins,and phytochemicals,which boost IMMUNE RESPONSE and protect against disease.

FOODS THAT WOULD BE WISE TO AVOID:

Coffee and other caffinated drinks,(such as sodas).If you are currently addicted to coffee,drink Black Tea instead, it has a third of the caffeine of coffee,and none of the harmful oils.
Fried foods and foods rich in fat are VERY IMMUNE -DEPRESSING,especially when Stress is already doing that as well.

Reduce Animal foods.High Protein foods elevate brain levels of DOPAMINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE both of which are associated with higher levels of anxiety and stress.

EXERCISE:

Start an Aerobic exercise program, do it daily

Try going for walks in the woods,a park,or on a beach.

Participate in some sort of sporting event,such as tennis,basketball,volleyball,softball,or just riding a bike.

Yoga

Tai chi or some other form of Martial arts.

Relaxiation Techniques,and Meditation are excellant ways to unwind.

Did you know that the less leisure time that you have ,the more stress you will probably feel?
Did you know that exercise stimulates the production of brain chemicals that have a positive benefit on mood and sense of well-being?

HYDROTHERAPY and AROMATHERAPY::

Warm baths relax muscles and the brain.Soak in a warm bath for twenty to thirty minutes,add some relaxing and soothing essential oils as well,such as:Lavender,Sage,Pine,or Sandalwood,Geranium,and/or Chamomile.
Burning candles with these same scents,after a stressful day is also quite relaxing.If your boss will let you,try burning a few of these candles while you are working,it will help to keep you calm and collected.
You can even carry a small bottle of Lavender with you in your purse or pocket,and put a small amount on a cloth or cotton-ball and inhale it,when you are having a very busy and stressful day.
Also try listening to soothing music,such as :Nature sounds mixed with piano,or the sounds of water or the Ocean.
Buying a small,minature waterfall or fountain for your house,(and/or your office), is not only an excellant way to help you relax,but is also quite inexpensive.Prices range from $15.00 to $50.00,depending on how fancy you want to get.There is something about running water that is quite soothing.

MIND/BODY:

Exhale and breathe deeply.

Drop your shoulders,relax,and rotate shoulders in small circles,then do the same with your head/neck area.Breathe deeply and exhale.

Pray,Meditate,and Surrender.

See a comedy.

Adopt a pet.

Talk to a friend or counselor.

Go fishing,guaranteed Peace of Mind.

Go camping.

Take up Bird Watching.

SUPPLEMENTS:

TO HELP OFFSET THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY STRESS,TAKE THE FOLLOWING,(And I strongly recommend that you choose Natural-Based Vitamins and Minerals):

(1)Beta-carotene,15 to 30 mg.per day

(2)A good B-complex,(Vit.B is one of the first vitamins that is depleted during stress,and once depleted,is hard for your body to rebuild on it's own),which contains the following;Vit.B-1,B-2,B-3,B-6,B-12,Folate(or Folic acid),Biotin,and Pantothenic acid(Or D-calcium pantothenate).Try to get pills or caps that are atleast 100 mg. in each of these B vitamins,and take two to four pills a day.Recommend you take with a meal or right after a meal,as some people get nausea on an empty stomach with Vit.B.

(3)Calcium,2,000 mg. per day

(4)Magnesium,(helps your body properly process the Calcium),400 to 800 mg. per day

(5)Vitamin D,(helps your body properly process the Calcium),400 to 600 mg. per day

(6)Zinc,30 to 60 mg. per day.

(7)Vit.C,2,000 to 6,000 mg.per day.(Vit.C is also one of the first vitamins to be depleted during stress,and as with Vit.B,once depleted,is hard for your body to rebuild on it's own.) If your body is not used to Vit.C,this dosage will probably give you diarreha. If this happens,simply cut back on the dose,and gradually build up to it.Recommend you start with the lowest dose(500 mg.,)and build from there.The more stressful life-style you lead,the more Vit.C,you need to take.I personally take 6,000 to 10,000 mg. per day.

HERBS TO TREAT STRESS:

Chamomile Tea, eases tension, drink it often.

Catnip tea,eases stress and anxiety,helps with stress-related pain,helps with sleeplessness;drink two to three times a day,( CAUTION:Can cause drowsiness in some people).

Siberian Ginseng,helps booste your over-all IMMUNE SYSTEM,as well as gives increased energy levels,400 mg. pills or caps,2 to 4 per day.I have a friend that had a chronic fungal problem on her foot;she had been to many Drs. about this,and had taken many meds. for this problem,but nothing worked,until she started taking Ginseng.Within one weeks time,the fungas was gone.Her IMMUNE SYSTEM was so depressed,however,that every time she stopped taking the Ginseng,the foot fungas would come back.She now takes Ginseng all the time.DO NOT TAKE THIS HERB IF YOU HAVE ANY HEART PROBLEMS.
If because of Heart problems,you cannot take Ginseng,try taking"DAMIANA",(Turnera aphrodisaca),"ASTRAGALUS",(Astragalus membranaceous),or"BURDOCK",(Arctium lappa),instead.

Kava-reduces stress and anxiety,also helps with  stress-related pain,400 mg tabs or caps,2 to 4 pills,every 4 to 6 hrs.(CAUTION,THIS HERB CAN CAUSE DROWSINESS IN SOME PEOPLE).

St. John's Wort,eases depression and anxiety;(can cause interference with "some" meds)400 mg. caps,two to four per day.

Valerian,reduces stress and pain associated with stress,helps muscles relax,recommend using only at night for anxiety and sleeplessness(CAUTION:Can cause drowsiness)150 to 300 mg. caps,1 to 2 caps,every 4 to 6 hrs.

Passion Flower and/or Skullcap,(CAUTION:As with Valerian,can cause drowsiness)150 to 300 mg. caps,two to three times a day.

HOLY BASIL(Ocimum Sanctum):
reduces stress and cortisol levels, inhibits COX-2 inflammatory enzymes, increases physical and emotional endurance, reduces blood sugar levels, reduces cravings for sweets, aides weight loss
Take two softgels daily with meal and 8 oz. of water. Can safetly take up to 6 daily for advanced stress.

WITH THE USE OF THE HERBS THAT CAN "POSSIBLY" CAUSE DROWSINESS,USE "COMMON SENSE" AND "CAUTION",UNTIL YOU KNOW HOW THEY EFFECT YOUR BODY. DRIVING IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHEN USING A RELAXING HERB. 

I also recommend that you take a look at my "MENTAL / EMOTIONAL HEALTH" page.There's a little quiz/test you can take that will help you know where you are at and where you are going with your Mental/Emotional Health. Emotional and/or Mental Health can and does effect your Physical Health.