Staying Healthy in Stressful Times
By William M. Healy MD
Learning to manage your stress so that you can stay healthy and cope with life’s challenges is important, especially now. Your body reacts to stress by releasing hormones, making your brain more alert, causing your muscles to tense, and increasing your pulse. However, too much stress all at once or over time can threaten your health.
Some people experience headaches or an upset stomach when they are stressed. Others may get muscle aches or chest pain. Stress can disturb your sleep, lead to weight loss, or weight gain. Over time, stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Regular physical activity, healthy food and beverages, and other positive activities help relieve stress, boost your mood, improve your sleep, and provide strength and stamina to help you manage stressful situations. Short workouts, such as a set of sit-ups or stretches, can help relieve stress, as can walking around the block or up and down stairs a few times. Consuming healthy meals, beverages, and snacks in moderation is another way to protect yourself against stress. Choose whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat proteins, and foods without added sugars or fats, which give you energy and keep you feeling good.
Learn what triggers your stress response and identify ways to help manage it. Manage stress by meditating, engaging in your favorite hobby, volunteering, and connecting with people who can provide emotional support. Visit the https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management to learn more.
William M. Healy, MD, 2235 Millersport Hwy #100, Getzville, NY 14068, specializes in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Learn more at www.MDVIP.com/WilliamHealyMD, and call 716-204-5938 for an appointment.
