Stress and Inflammation

Stress can be defined as the way you feel when you’re under abnormal pressure.

Stress can produce hormone changes that lead to inflammation and this is bad news or people with inflammatory arthritis.

All sorts of situations can cause stress. The most common involve work, money matters and relationships with partners, children or other family members. Stress may be caused either by major upheavals and life events such as divorce, unemployment, moving to a new house and bereavement, or by a series of minor irritations such as feeling undervalued at work or dealing with difficult children. Sometimes there are no obvious causes.

Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted formula for reducing stress. One person may relax by learning a new instrument, while another may find learning a new instrument very demanding and frustrating.

We have some ideas to help you relax. There is no need to do every one of them, but some each day can reduce stress and reduce inflammation.

Meditation. There are lots of apps available for Meditation. You Tube has short or long meditations that can be done at any time throughout the day. If these don’t suit you, take small breaks throughout the day to clear your mind and take 10 deep breaths.
Get good sleep.Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Practice good sleep hygiene by creating a bedtime routine.
Relax and recharge.When possible, take vacations or day trips. These excursions don’t have to be fancy or expensive—they just have to get you far enough from work that you have time to relax and recharge.
A challenging workout can release stress. Aerobic exercise gets your heart rate up and releases endorphins.
Take up a hobby.Whether it’s gardening, playing music, bird-watching or crafting, a hobby can help take your mind off the outside world. It also can give you a feeling of accomplishment!