17 Reasons to Avoid Stress [Infographic]

Stress and Health | 17 Reasons to Avoid Stress
Infographic from The Adrenal Fatigue Solution

Stress and Health

Chronic stress has been linked to many chronic diseases and medical conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, eating disorders, systemic and local infections, colds and viruses.  It is also implicated in accidents, mental and emotional disorders and disturbances such as depression and anxiety.


Infographic

This infographic from The Adrenal Fatigue Solution, lists 17 health problems that researchers have linked to stress and provides the citations to the relevant studies:

📌 Headaches
📌 Hair Loss
📌 Memory
📌 Acne / Psoriasis
📌 Insomnia
📌 Heart Attacks
📌 (Worsens) Asthma
📌 Sugar and Fat Cravings
📌 Digestion
📌 Belly Fat
📌 Back Pain
📌 Sex Drive
📌 Blood Pressure
📌 Adrenal Fatigue
📌 Blood Glucose (Sugar)
📌 (Premature) Aging
📌 Immune System

For more information and to see the full sized version of this infographic, please visit 17 Reasons to Avoid Stress: An Infographic.


Managing Stress

In our fast-paced society with so many demands on our time, it is not possible to completely avoid stress.

However, there are a number of things we can do to manage and minimize stress:

🔹 Exercise / Physical Activity
🔹 Meditation
🔹 Mindfulness - 15 Techniques for Stress Reduction
🔹Yoga - Poses for Stress Relief
🔹 Deep Breathing Exercise
🔹 Laughter
🔹 Massage
🔹 Aromatherapy

The Happiness Effect - How Exercise Makes You Happy [Infographic]

The Happiness Effect - How Exercise Makes You Happy
Infographic from HealthCentral.com

Stress and Chronic Health Conditions

Health and wellness experts estimate that 75 to 90% of all doctors visits in the U.S. are directly or indirectly related to chronic stress.

The latest scientific research indicates that untreated, long-term stress leads to an array of diseases and medical conditions including:

✔ Heart Disease
✔ Sleep Disorders
✔ Digestive Problems
✔ Depression
✔ Increased Skin Problems
✔ Weight Gain and Obesity
✔ Memory and Cognitive Impairment

Numerous studies have shown that exercise is a highly effective way to manage stress.  

Infographic

This infographic entitled "The Happiness Effect" illustrates and explains what happens to our brain chemistry as well as our our hormone levels when we are stressed, and how exercise creates chemical responses in the brain that lead to both temporary and long-term health benefits.

In addition to exercise, meditation has also been shown to be very effective in reducing stress and having many positive mental, physical and emotional health benefits. 

 Individuals who have have been sedentary, who are older, pregnant, nursing or have certain physical limitations or medical conditions should consult a health care professional before undertaking an exercise program.

Infographic source:  HealthCentral - The Happiness Effect:  How Exercise Makes You Happy

Related:

12 Mental Benefits of Exercise