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Unfortunately the world we all live in has the ability to cause us stress in many ways. This stress needs to be dealt with quickly and effectively. If it is not unresolved stress can very easily lead to other, serious, medical problems as well as ruin relationships. Fortunately, stress can be dealt with in a number of ways. Below are three suggestions for handling stress in a constructive, healthy way.

EXERCISE

Starting and following a regular exercise program will do more than tone your muscles, it will also help to reduce stress. When you exercise, the physical activity increases the natural production of endorphins that make you feel good. Most commonly this feeling is known as a "runner's high" but it can be triggered by any type of exercise.

Also, the activity of exercise will boost your self-confidence and reduce any feelings of anxiety and/or depression.

DIET

Not surprisingly what you eat can have a great deal of impact on stress and your attempts to manage it. The food that you eat helps combat stress in a number of ways. Foods to include in your diet include:

• Comfort foods will boost levels of serotonin which is a chemical in the brain that produces calm.
• Oranges and other fruit high in vitamin C: Recent research indicates that, in addition to strengthening the immune system, vitamin C also reduces the amounts of stress hormones.
• Fatty Fish: Species such as Salmon and Mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that reduce stress hormones as well as lower levels of LDL cholesterol

MEDITATION

Another, often misunderstood, method of lowering stress is through meditation. Too often people associate meditation with incense and quiet music but, really, it can be practiced anywhere you happen to be. Walking, sitting on an airplane, waiting for an appointment are all opportunities to meditate.

There are many sorts of meditation techniques and some, such as yoga or Tai chi, do require specific instruction to get the most out of them. But others such as Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Meditation can be done very effectively by novices.

Regardless of which sort of meditation is employed, the benefits are many. Practicing meditation brings a sense of calm that can improve both your overall health as well as your emotional mood. When you practice meditation the "information overload" of everyday life goes away and no longer adds to your stress.

In addition to diet, exercise, and meditation there are other ways of combating stress including medications. Regardless of the methods you choose it is very important to remember that you can control your reactions to stressful situations in much the same way you learn to control your reactions to anger or other emotional triggers. Stress does not have to control your life!