Excessive stress promotes poor health and disease. In stressful situations, your body responds by releasing a hormone called cortisol. Long-term exposure to cortisol has devastating consequences that include:
-Increases in the amount of sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides (fat) in your bloodstream, which promotes type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol
-Retention of salt and water, which leads to high blood pressure and unnecessary weight gain.
-Breaking down of muscle tissue protein and decreases in the uptake of essential amino acids by muscle tissue, which leads to dramatic losses in strength and tone.
-Increases in visceral fat accumulation, which shows up on your waistline.
If you are frequently exposed to stress due to work or school, conflicts with family or friends, or even while sitting impatiently in a traffic jam you may be at risk. As such, it is important to find productive ways of coping with your stress. Exercise, yoga, tai chi, relaxation, and professional therapy have all been cited as effective methods for managing stress. I use exercise as a means of coping with stress; however, we're all different. Something as simple as a weekly manicure, pedicure, or massage treatment may work for some. The important thing is to explore various strategies to find out which ones work best for you. Your health could be at stake.
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