Today’s Stress is Different: Tips to De-Stress in Changing Times

As we continue with April National Stress Awareness month, it’s important to understand why the stress of today’s changing times is different and why many of the things we have tried to relieve stress don’t seem to be working as well as they used to.

It’s obvious to us at the Institute of HeartMath (after twenty years of researching the physiology of stress and a leader in the field of stress management) that the majority of people in the USA have become resigned to stress as the new norm – an unwanted but necessary way of life.

That’s because today’s stress is more persistent, due to the accelerating speed of life and constant change. Today’s stress is often a result of mental and emotional overload, and uncertainty about the future. Stress is our body’s way of signaling we are out of balance and likely to make poor choices or compromise our mental, emotional or physical health.

Today’s Stress Effects

Until the turn of the millennium, stress was considered a major problem only after a life crisis. But the stress of today’s times is not a single incident type of stress that naturally follows trauma, illness, house foreclosure, work layoff, divorce, death of a loved one, or other major life event.

Up Next – More on Stress

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dale O.

8:22AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

Interesting, but at least I am thankful that if referred to a specialist it costs nothing since health care is paid for by the taxpayers-too bad the Canadian government does not see fit to have dentistry covered the same way.

Being ill is for the most part not a matter of choice, there are some problems that are self inflicted but even then for some it is a result of abuse such as childhood sexual molestation while others smoke and leave themselves open for future health troubles. Still, ending up in many cases not being able to afford health care must be horrifically stressful or having to sell one's home.

Today's modern society is often a harried and hurried affair in an urban jungle with little time for contact with Nature and other relaxing elements.

July 31
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Denis L.

3:42PM PDT on May 28, 2012

Hi and thank you some great tips
Health and wellbeing encompasses both “healthy body” and “healthy mind”. Our health and wellbeing is often linked in with happiness. This can include if we are generally healthy and fit (both physically and mentally), are happy with our lives and where they are heading. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves and their lives but sadly we do not take time out to take a good look at ourselves and before we know it the stress we endure leaves us with a lot of other serious health problems which sneaks up on us.. We have only one life so why not make it a great one. I stumbled on a great site with loads of free tips which I have put to good use I will leave the link here . http://www.health-and-wellness-4u.com .

Thanks Again

May 28
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Sheri P.

9:04PM PDT on May 21, 2012

breathing from the heart and decreasing drama...good tips, thanks!

May 21
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Eternal G.

6:18PM PDT on May 9, 2012

Always good to have!

May 9
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Past Member .

6:45PM PDT on May 7, 2012

thanks for share, good tips for stress.

May 7
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Nimue P.

9:29PM PDT on May 6, 2012

Thanks :)

May 6
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Debbie L.

6:21PM PDT on May 6, 2012

Thanks.

Shelly P.

5:03PM PDT on May 6, 2012

Great article!!...Yes, living in 2012 is a "very over the top stress level," for our body and our minds..so we need to be equipped with a "quality tool belt" so to speak, to deal with all of it, in healthy, pro-active ways!!..and recognition of it in ones-self is the first step, for dealling with it and "handling it, in a healthy and pro-active way!!..better than having a heart attack!!..STRESS KILLS, causes the "heart attacks in over 90%" of the times and 99% stress, not being delt with effectively, leads to the heart disease in the first place...so, it would be the smartest thing, that effective stress management..and truth, was taught in every school, every year, at appropriate levels for age, all over the World!!
It is information such as this and other articles that WE can put "tools in our tool belts" and pull out and use as nessicary!!...and Care2, has been a "Life Saver" for me and all of you!!
Informed! Pro-active for solutions and not part of the problem!! There is HOPE ALIVE AND WELL WITH ALL OF US!!..Welcome to Planet Earth 2012!

Vicki P.

11:21AM PDT on May 3, 2012

Thank-you for the article~♥

May 3
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David M.

10:18AM PDT on May 3, 2012

I agree with David N. although I know that what can really help with stress is meditation.
Give yourself a break - find a quiet place where you'll be undisturbed and sit and meditate in silence. Focus on the life giving breath entering and leaving your body.
Empty your mind of random thoughts (not easy - takes practice!) -let them in, let them be and let them go; don't let the monkey mind mess with them. Just be, alert in the silence. Your meditation will calm you and help alleviate stress.