Stress can be both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on the nature and course of its duration. In the short term, stress activates a fight-or-flight response that signals the adrenal glands to release hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which help the body protect itself against harm. However, when stress levels continuously remain high on a long term basis, these same defense mechanisms that prove helpful during situations of acute stress can wreak havoc on the body by lowering the immune system, impairing the cardiovascular system, causing blood pressure problems, and more. In short, chronic stress basically diminishes your quality of life to some degree in virtually every aspect possible. Learning to manage stress is essential to achieving an optimal quality of life. Thankfully, there are methods that can help you do just that. The following techniques for combatting stress are packed with the potential to positively impact various aspects of your life:
