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Stress and anxiety are common problems, and have a dramat impact on the health of those that suffer with them. According to a 2018 YouGov poll, 74% of people have felt so stressed that they have been "overwhelmed or unable to cope". Almost half of these people overate or ate unhealthy foods as a result, almost a third increased their alcohol consumption, and almost a fifth started smoking or increased the amount they smoked

[1]. Figures in the US are similar, according to the American Psychological Association. More than three quarters of Americans have symptoms of stress such as headaches or sleeping problems, and almost half of all adults in the US say that stress has negatively affected their behaviour

[2] Behavioural changes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effects stress and anxiety have on sufferers. Studies show that, left untreated, stress can increase the risk of heart disease

[3] due to long-term increases in cortisol production. It can lead to sexual problems, Including erectile dysfunction In men

[4] and loss of libido

[5]. It suppresses the immune system, increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, causes peptic ulcers, and more [6]. Learning about these medical risks can actually stress you out more, because it adds yet another thing to worry about - your health - to an already stressful life.

However, there is good news: there are multiple, scientifically-proven, ways to take charge of stress and banish its negative effects from your life. So, without further ado, here are five simple tips to de-stress your life:

  1. Get some exercise: It might be hard to believe when you're in the grip of stress, but something as simple as a brisk, twenty-minute walk every day can make all the difference to your stress levels. The reason for this is that consistent exercise reduces stress hormones (like cortisol) and releases endorphins (which improve your mood [7•

  2. Do a little deep breathing: Breathing deeply can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, pushing yoi out of stress-Induced fight-or-flight mode and letting your body relax and heal. It's easy to learn: just google "Yoga deep breathing" and spend five minutes reading an article or watching a video, and you'll have it down [8].

  3. Laugh a lot: Although it sounds trivial, taking the time to laugh every day has been proven to result in tangible benefits, such as stress relief, long-term mood improvements, and a healthier immune system. When you fei stress approaching, why not try taking thirty minutes out

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