You wake up. You quickly grab breakfast and are out the door towards work, stressing over one thing or another. At work, you fret about your latest project, and when you get home your worries are directed towards financial issues and home life. All this stress is normal- or, that’s what we’ve been led to believe.

Why Stress is Detrimental

Being stressed out is not good for several reasons. One, being how it effects everyone around you. Did you know that studies have show that your kids are more likely to become ill if they are in a household with a lot of stress from surrounding family members? That should motivate all of the parents to relax and to stop constantly worrying.

Aside from creating household problems, stress also creates health problems. It is known that people who are stressed out often over eat and are less likely to exercise. They more likely to smoke and drink more, and stress might raise the risk of heart attacks.

How to Get Rid of Stress

These scary side effects should be enough to make us stop and take a deep breath. People with less stress in their lives have eliminated many problems and risks by simply taking everything calmly. Easier said then done, this feat cannot be accomplished overnight.

Here are some ways to reduce stress:

• Get some fresh air: you’ve heard it before, magazines suggesting fresh air for overstressed individuals. Nature just has a way of helping us chill out, even for just a little while. Take a walk or open up some windows or doors.
• Organize! A clean house or an organized schedule are simple ways to feel less stressed. I always feel better when I have a clear to do list! And- bonus! - people are said to sleep better when their rooms are clean because they have less on their mind.
• Smile. Just smiling makes you feel better. Be pleasant and people will be more pleasant back to you!
• Get more Zzz’s: You are much less likely to reach a breaking point if you have gotten plenty of sleep.

How in the WORLD does this relate to the future, Rika?

Good question! Over the years, our society has become more complex. The more complex our society becomes, the more things the average people have to keep track of. Add the financial issues because of depleting oil and the rising food prices and what do you get? Stress!

-Rika