The effects of stress on the body and mind can be extremely detrimental to your health. About 75% of Americans experience significant stress at least once every two weeks, and according to Web MD, over 75% of all doctor visits are conditions and complaints related to stress.  Additionally, stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart conditions, depression, diabetes, and also chronic headaches.

We all know that a stressful life is a less health healthy life, but many of us struggle to find ways to reduce our stress in our everyday existence. Here are a few simple tips that can effectively help you reduce your day-to-day stress:

1. Exercise regularly

You may feel that fitting an exercise routine into your stressful day will just make you more stressed, but studies have found that in addition to being excellent for your body and overall health, regular exercise can help you reduce your stress levels by increasing the level of endorphins in your system and giving you an outlet for your frustration.  Activities as simple as walking around the block or doing crunches while watching TV can have a significant impact on improving your overall health.

2. Laugh

There may be some truth to the old saying that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing regularly improves your overall state of well-being and can help reduce tension and stress in the body. Medical experts say that laughter actually induces physical changes in the body that alleviate stress.  For example, laughing stimulates organs like the heart and the lungs.  It also releases endorphins and eases tension.  Find ways to add laughter to your daily routine and you will reap the benefits.

3. Eat healthy

A balanced diet will leave you feeling more energized and give you the strength and determination that you need to get through your stressful day. People with high stress jobs tend to have higher BMIs because they’re more prone to reach for quick and easy snacks full of fats and sugars. When stress leaves you with the munchies, reach for healthy comfort food like oatmeal.  Experts say that eating healthy carbohydrates can boost levels of serotonin which is a brain chemical that produces a feeling of calm.  Carbohydrates also stabilize blood sugar which can relieve feelings of stress as low blood sugar can make people feel moody.

4. Make time for sleep

Different adults have different requirements for how much sleep they need at night. Whatever it takes for you to function most effectively, make sure you’re getting that amount of sleep. It’s also important to ensure that the sleep that you do get is as restful as possible.  If you don’t think lack of sleep is serious, think again.  At University of Minnesota Medical School, a professor of neurology revealed that people who had one night of sleep deprivation were as impaired during simulated driving tests as those who had illegal levels of alcohol in their blood.  This shows that sleep deprivation not only adds to stress, but also impacts mental alertness.

These are just a few things that you can do to reduce stress. However, one other important thing is to get a skill that can equip you in such a way that you can help other people when they are in need. How about you go for online BLS certification?