In today's fast-paced world stress is unavoidable. School children, university students and adults are all vulnerable to what has been called the silent killer. While a certain amount of stress is normal, prolonged and excessive exposure to stress can be detrimental to both our emotional and physical well-being. Find out how stress can impact your health and how you and your family can learn to manage stress.
Stress can wreak havoc on mind, body and soul, causing headaches, fatigue, sleep disorders, muscle tension and digestive problems. It can also make you feel anxious, depressed and angry. But the list does not end there. There are a number of more serious conditions that can be caused by stress including autoimmune diseases, obesity, hypertension as well as an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Considering the dangers of stress, it goes without saying that learning how to manage stress should be one of your first priorities. According to the experts, an effective stress management plan should include:
- A good night's rest
- A healthy diet that includes lots of fruit and vegetables
- Regular exercise: the World Health Organization recommends that children and young people aged 5 – 17 exercise for at least 60 minutes daily (moderate to vigorous-intensity) and that adults aged 18 – 64 should exercise for at least 150 minutes throughout the week (moderate-intensity)
- Effective time management
- Reducing your caffeine and sugar intake
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
- Learning relaxation techniques, including yoga, tai-chi and deep breathing
For all the parents out there, it is essential that you teach your children to manage their stress from a young age, a lesson that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. While we cannot avoid stress, we can and must learn to manage it, for the sake of our health and our children's. Managing stress is about leading a healthy and full life, free of disease and nagging physical ailments. This year give you and your family the gift of health.
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