Explores several sources of modern day chronic stress. There are a few simple things that can be done to improve the stress response in both the short and longer term. Many of these just involve some minor behavior modifications. Like taking a three day break. Also looks at some of the consequences of chronic stress and its affects on the immune system.
It may seem like stress doesn't affect us or that we even have much of it in our lives, but that could be because it's so persistent in our daily lives that we hardly even notice it's there anymore. It's not until we take a good vacation (even a three day weekend away from work) that we realize how much stress we are under on a daily basis.
More people than ever are working from home and when that happens the natural barrier between home life and work life becomes thin to the point of transparency. "Leaving work at the office" has little meaning when the "office" is the computer in the living room, or maybe the dining room table.
The pressure to make ends meet financially while maintaining something resembling a family life, and doing it all within the same living/workign space, is an entirely new kind of stress for most people that formerly only shopkeepers who lived above their store have had to deal with.
These are some of the modern sources of stress. What affect does it really have?Especially in the scenario above, the stress can manifest itself in social situation by "snapping" at family members, having a short temper, and generally not being a pleasant person to spend time with.
On a biological level, the stress response, especially chronic stress - the kind we don't seem to notice as much - has long term consequences such as the inability to lose weight, headaches, body aches, muscle aches, and getting sick more often.
One of the best ways to relieve chronic stress that is caused by work, extended family, or other social situations is just to get away for a while. Have a friend or relative take the kids for a night or two and go to the next town and rent a room in a nice hotel.
Get a massage.
Go out for a nice dinner.
Watch TV, go to a movie, see a play, or do something else that you enjoy that you don't normally get to do.
Even just a night or two away can make a world of difference in your outlook and help you realize how much stress you are actually under on daily basis. This might even be a catalyst to help you discover ways to decrease that stress level.
Of course, the benefits of this kind of short term stress relief are also only short term. For longer term stress relief, try eating a healthier diet (which can be difficult to do under stress), exercise on a regular basis, assign work and home tasks to others where possible and take on fewer tasks where possible.
The benefits will be many.
Those extra pounds might come off a little easier. You'll be in a better mood, which will cause people to react differently to you. You'll also start to get the physiological benefits.
Wouldn't it be nice to have the confidence in your immune system to know that you wouldn't come down with every bug that happens to be going around?Having a stronger immune system can also get rid of low level illness that you may have in your system and not even realize it. What if there are cells in your body that are pre-cancerous and a strong immune system would kill them off before you even knew they were there? Coversely, is your weakened immune system allowing these kinds of cells to stay around and maybe even begin to multiply?Take a check on yourself and your stress levels. Take care of yourself and enjoy life!
From Patio Chair Cushions to Gazebos - How to Choose Patio Accessories for your Outdoor Space
Patio accessories are the cherry on top of the sundae. Patio chair cushions give your furniture color and comfort, umbrellas give you shade and can set the tone of your yard, gazebos, arbors, and outdoor appliances add luxury and style. Let's take a look at 5 outdoor accessories, what they can do for your yard and if they're right for your outdoor space.
Patio Chair Cushions – Three tips to make sure you get your money’s worth.
n the hunt for the perfect patio chair cushions to add the final touches to your outdoor space you’ve probably noticed that patio chair cushions can cost you anywhere from pennies to hundreds of dollars. How do you know what is a reasonable amount to spend? How do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Here are three tips to make sure you get the best cushion for your dollar.
Patio chair cushions – Adding comfort and style to your outdoor space.
Whether you prefer a Zen hideaway, an urban minimalist space, or a tropical paradise three things remain constant, you need a place to sit, you need appropriate landscaping, and you need to pay attention to the details to make the space your own. Details like Bali umbrellas, pottery, an arbor, patio chair cushions, and even an outdoor spa can make all the difference between an average outdoor space and your perfect sanctuary.
