Did you know that stress and cancer are more intertwined than you may think? The more chronic stress you have, the more you put your body at risk for developing not only cancer but other forms of disease as well.
There are two types of stress. There is acute stress that typically goes away in an appropriate amount of time such as the stress of getting ready for the holidays or packing for vacation. Then there is chronic stress. Chronic stress is what you have to watch out for. It puts your body in a chronic state of fight or flight, throws off your hormone balance, and can lead to disease and cancer.
Chronic stress puts a massive strain on your body, and too much stress is thought to not only promote the growth of some forms of disease, but also the spread. Chronic stress may also lead to unhealthy habits such as an increase in alcohol consumption which can be devastating to health in various ways as well.
In order to take control of your overall health and as a way to help protect your body from cancer, it’s important to address stress at its root, and practice stress reduction daily.
Here are three tips to start reducing your stress today.
Tip #1: Smile!
While this may sound simple, studies have shown that those who smile are more relaxed. When you smile you feel more relaxed, and even when you’re tense the simple act of smiling may be able to help calm your nerves. Smiling even transmits nerve impulses to help you feel more calm! So go ahead and smile more often, your stress levels will thank you for it.
Tip #2: Visualization
If you’re constantly tense, calming visualizations can be very helpful in reducing your overall levels of stress. Simply close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and envision your most serene place. Whether this be the beach, napping on a hammock, or spending time with your dogs. Just relax and visualize this space for 5 minutes to help reduce your stress levels.
Tip #3: Get Active
Stress can easily be combatted with a brisk walk! Feeling extra stressed after a long day at work? Put your sneakers on and get outside in the fresh air! Get moving and I’m sure you will feel ten times more relaxed. Exercises releases feel good endorphins which can help reduce stress levels.
Ready to really take this whole stress reduction thing seriously, then try this week’s challenge as well! Implement all of this tips and you will be well on your way to reducing your overall stress levels and setting your body up for greater health.
For this week’s stress reduction weekly challenge, I challenge you to spend two days this week doing something that makes you feel relaxed! Here are some of the best ways to “zen” out and reduce your stress. With reduced stress comes a reduced chance of disease and a reduced chance of developing cancer
- 15-20 minutes of yoga
- 5 minutes of daily meditation
- 20-30-minute brisk walk
- Reading your favorite book
- Cooking with friends and family
- Lighting a candle and just relaxing
- Getting out the essential oils
- Get a massage
- Listen to music