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Health Insurance:
Five Simple Ways to Lessen Stress
Having quality health insurance is important but it can't
fix everything. Avoid stress-related ailments and doctor visits by avoiding
stress. Here are a few simple suggestions from Esurance on how to reduce the
amount of stress in your life.
The bills are piling up. The in-laws are planning a visit.
The kids need new clothes. The lawn needs to be mowed, and meanwhile, it's
another hectic day at the office. But don't stress!
Ok. So maybe a little stress is inevitable. Most experts
will even agree that a little stress is necessary. But it's also widely agreed
that too much stress can be deadly. It's estimated by the American
Psychological Association that 43% of adults suffer adverse health affects from
stress and that 3 out of 5 family physician visits are stress-related.
When not properly managed, stress can take a major toll on
your mind, body and spirit. At Esurance we believe in staying as healthy and
happy as possible and toward that end, we've compiled a list of helpful ways to
de-stress.
- Just breathe.
It sounds so simple, but deep, concentrated breathing increases oxygen to
the blood and can actually improve your mental and physical state. If the
work-a-day world's becoming just a bit too much to bear, try to find a
quiet place- go outside, or find an empty conference room- and just
breathe. Yoga teaches that proper breathing techniques can effectively relieve
stress, depression and hypertension.
Here are the basic
steps for the Sukha Pranayama, or Victorious
Breath: Sit comfortably and erect. Breathe naturally and feel the breath moving
in an out of your lungs. Clear your mind and focus only on your breathing. Feel
power and energy with every inhale, and imagine eliminating stress and anxiety
with every exhale. You'll be amazed by how much better you feel within minutes
- Just "B".
If you're at the office, with the kids, stuck in traffic or otherwise just
don't have time for all that breathing, try to squeeze some Vitamin B into
your daily diet. B Vitamins- B2, B6, and B12- along with magnesium, help
to produce serotonin which is known to help regulate mood and relieve
stress. Have a handful of almonds- loaded with B Vitamins, zinc, and
healthy antioxidants. Other stress-relieving foods filled with Vitamin B
are fish, broccoli, whole grain rice, sushi, beef and good old milk.
- Walk, don't run.
Exercise in general is a great way to literally burn off stress, but
walking in particular is a powerful tool against tension and anxiety and
the reasons are surprisingly simple. For one, anyone can walk. You don't
have to be a trained athlete to walk around the block or through the park.
You also don't need to walk for very long to enjoy the benefits it can
bring. A 15- or 20-minute walk on your lunch break can reduce stress and
improve your mood for the rest of the day. Walking triggers the brain's
release of tiny endorphins that help to relieve pain and stimulate relaxation
in a very big way. A quick jaunt can release a whole army of
stress-fighting endorphins. The more endorphins, the better you feel.
- No wine-ing.
Alcohol may at first seem like a good antidote to stress, but don't be
fooled. Though commonly believed to relieve stress and ease anxiety,
alcohol is actually a depressant and a few "relaxing" drinks could leave
you feeling worse rather than better. In addition, alcohol is known to
decrease the quality of sleep, especially during the second half of the
night, when you should be getting deep, healthful REM sleep. As a result,
instead of waking up rested and relaxed, you will likely wake feeling
tired, groggy and stressed, thereby exacerbating the initial problem
instead of fixing it. If you feel you simply can't unwind without a glass
of vino, limit it to one. Go for a walk or cook a healthy B Vitamin-laden
dinner instead!
- When the going
gets tough… No, you don't have to go
shopping, but you might want to think about doing something you do enjoy.
Play golf, go to the beach, spend time with the kids, read, watch old
movies, cook a gourmet meal— basically do anything that makes you feel
happy and relaxed. All too often we get so bogged down with work, dates,
deadlines and obligations that we forget life is meant to be savored and
enjoyed. Taking time to yourself and doing things you find relaxing can provide
a positive burst of energy and rejuvenation. So get going! Whether you
have a quick hour or an entire weekend, do something that makes you truly
happy. (And hey, shop if you want to!)
You don't need a 2-week beach vacation or weekend at the spa
to start feeling relaxed again. Utilize these easy stress-busting tips to help
manage your stress from day-to-day. You'll be enjoying a healthier, happier,
and more stress-free life before you know it!
Health insurance shouldn't stress you out. Get a fast, free health insurance quote from
Esurance and make sure your individual, family or short-term health care coverage
measures up!
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