A study involving the participation of 1,293 men has concluded that chronic stress can actually lead to premature death for those suffering from it.
The study was carried out by Center for Healthy Aging Research director Carolyn Aldwin at the Oregon State University, and will be published in the journal Experimental Gerontology. The study shows that although stress triggered by majorly upsetting events, such as the collapse of a relationship or the loss of a job, can be the catalyst of a man’s ill-health, it’s actually his negative emotional response to everyday stress such as being stuck in traffic that can lead to an elevated level of cortisol.
Cortisol, dubbed the “stress hormone,” can “interfere with learning and memory, lower immune function and bone density, and increase blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease,” Aldwin told NPR.
According to Aldwin, the study revealed that “…people who always perceived their daily life to be over-the-top stressful were three times more likely to die over the period of study than people who rolled with the punches and didn’t find daily life very stressful.”
Unfortunately, there’s no quick cure for stress. While those of you who feel fatigued by it will often be told to just “calm down” or “take a step back,” it is often difficult to derail yourself from your negative train of thought. However, there are methods you can use in order to decrease stress and lead a happier, healthier lifestyle, such as the following:
- Get more exercise. If you feel so overwhelmed by your stress that you opt to see a doctor (and there is absolutely no harm in that – more people do it than you would think), then the first thing they will likely tell you to fit into your schedule is exercise. Exercise leads to the release of positive endorphins that help quell the anxiety generated by stress, along with reducing muscle tension. If exercise isn’t on your current agenda at all, then start off small with a run or two per week. Pace yourself, don’t overdo it and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
- Perform breathing exercises. When stress is overwhelming you, try to perform some breathing exercises to calm yourself down. One tried ‘n’ tested method is to inhale deeply, count to ten and then exhale, releasing all of the air from your lungs. This allows your mind to focus on your breathing, along with ensuring that your breathing pattern doesn’t accelerate as is typically the case with increased anxiety.
- Get more sleep. Lack of sleep leads to poor judgment, mood, and behavior. Plus, your mind and body goes through a repairing and rejuvenation phase during rest that is critical to dealing with stress during the day.
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