Keep Stress Low

Keeping stress low is very important to your health. Stress can affect you mentally, physically, or emotionally. In the business world, it is hard to completely avoid stress, but you can work hard in keeping it at a minimum.

Stress without relief causes many physical symptoms, like headaches, upset stomachs, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, a lowered immune system, and problems sleeping. Stress can also lead to short tempers, depression, panic attacks, or anxiety. Constant stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, lung problems, and more.

Recognizing stress can be difficult sometimes. Noticing its symptoms is the first step. The second step is to take action.

Here are a few things that you can do to help reduce stress in your life:

• Don't take on more than you can handle.
• Practice time management.
• When stressed about having a lot of projects, don't look at the big picture. Try to work with "bite-sized pieces."
• Reduce the things that stress you.
• Get enough sleep.
• Listen to relaxing music. Classical and new age music proves to be more calming than rock or rap music.
• Eat well and exercise.
• Practice breathing exercises.
• Take breaks. It is good to stop working, even for 10 minutes, to think about something completely different. Breaks will help refresh your mind.
• Be thankful. This one is always helpful because as you get caught up in all the things that bother you, it can be relieving to look at all the things that are a blessing in your life.

It may be difficult at first to see the stress and act against it. It is well worth the effort though. Reducing your stress will help you to be a happier, healthier person.

Brad Harmon is the President at a leading financing company, First Star Capital (www.firststarcapital.com). Brad is a frequent contributor to online publications and newsletters, and is the author of this blog on commercial financing topics.