Stress effects health in many ways. The psychological symptoms of stress syndrome may include: high anxiety, depression, overeating, and in extreme circumstances, suicide. Physical symptoms of stress and anxiety can include: chest pain, obesity, hair loss, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and a host of illnesses related to stress and the immune system.

These are serious conditions that should not be taken lightly. Far too many people attempt to address the health effects of stress and anxiety on their own, which can at least partially account for the high incidences of excessive drug and alcohol use in our society. Fortunately, managing the affect of stress on health is doable with just a little focus. Follow these tips and techniques for managing how stress and anxiety affects your wellbeing:

• “Take several “mini-stress-breaks” throughout your day.” – Making a conscious effort to take several 5-10 minute stress breaks throughout your day can significantly decrease your stress and anxiety levels.

• “Avoid dwelling on negative experiences.” – Aggravating things happen to all of us, but the key to keeping these things from getting to you is to accept them for what they are without blowing them out of proportion, or reliving the events over and over again in your mind. You can decrease your stress and anxiety symptoms by not dwelling on the many disturbances that you’ll encounter throughout your day.

• “Practice smiling more.” – Now, don’t walk around with a foolish grin on your face all of the time, but do make a concerted effort to smile more, especially when passing or greeting another person. Studies have shown that the simple act of smiling somehow signals the body to let go of stress and anxiety – give it a try!

Mitigating the negative health effects of stress and anxiety is possible if you try. Avoid becoming a stress statistic by incorporating these simple stress management techniques into your life today.