Relaxation and stress reduction techniques are sought after by many; whether you are a child or a working adult there is no escaping stress. Some common ways to deal with stress are thinking plesant thoughts, taking deep breaths and relaxation exercises. While all these are good to do, it does nothing to help understand what stress is, why it happens and what changes happen in the human body. Understanding these will enable you the reader to deal with stress more proactively.

What is Stress

Stress is a disturbing change emotionally or mentally that happens in response to external undesirable conditions. It can and often does affect a person physically.

How Stress affects the Body

Typically, stress manifest itself in the form of increased blood pressure, irritability and muscle tension. this happens as a result of over 1200 changes that occur in the human body. A lot of energy is used to tense muscles and increase blood pressure; as a result, the body is depleted of important nutrients such as vitamin B. B vitamins are used to help calm nerves and think logically. Basically when stressed the human body borrows from other areas of the body causing a deficit of important vitamins in nerve and brain cells. To coin a phrase " robbing Peter to pay Paul".

How to Regulate Stress Proactively

In addition to the usual ways of dealing with stress such as Deep Breaths, Walks, relaxation exercises etc. The nutritional factor can't be ignored. At the start of a busy day, taking a multivitamin with the B vitamins, magnesium and zinc is helpful. Also, taking an omega-3 fish oil capsule is helpful. The right type of foods can also make a difference; foods and drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and high in sugar should be avoided. Eating foods that are rich in proteins such as eggs, beans or lean meats are also helpful.

Stress management is a multi dimensional problem that takes proactive as well as reactive action.  Using common reactive strategies such as deep breaths, walks and relaxation exercises in conjunction with nutrition is a better way of managing stress.