4 ways to combat stress
Published October 14, 2014 3:08 AM
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Updated October 15, 2014 10:07 AM
1 Min Read
The costs of workplace stress in the U.S. are estimated to be between $200 billion and $300 billion, according to statistics cited in a recent webinar with MetLife in partnership with MAXIS Global Benefits Network. These costs are the result of health care claims, workers compensation claims, absenteeism costs and productivity declines. Here are four ways you (and your companys employees) can fight back against stress:
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
1. Challenge your belief system.
See stress as a motivator, an energy that gets you moving in positive ways. Perception is everything aim to move from a stress is debilitating mindset to a stress is enhancing mindset. One study of 30,000 adults over the course of eight years asked people how much stress theyd experienced in the last year and whether they believed that stress was harmful to their health. People who experienced a lot of stress in the previous year had a 43% increased risk of dying, but that was only true for the people who also believed that stress was harmful to their health. The people who experienced a lot of stress but who did not view stress as harmful had the lowest risk of dying of anyone in the study, including those who had relatively little stress.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
2. Engage in physical activity.
Managing stress is just one more reason to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. For benefit managers who spend most days at their desks, stand up every 20 minutes to counteract the health hazards of sitting down all day.
Also see: 7 unique ways to address stress in the workplace
[Image: Fotolia]
Also see: 7 unique ways to address stress in the workplace
[Image: Fotolia]
3. Go green instead of just caffeine.
Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. Its loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. It still contains caffeine, but also contains the amino acide L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
4. Rev up your resilience.
When youre stressed, seek social contact and support so you release more oxytocin, a neuro-hormone that fine-tunes the brains social instincts. Oxytocin is also a natural anti-inflammatory it not only protects your brain, but also your cardiovascular system from the effects of stress. When you seek social support, you release more oxytocin, so your stress response becomes healthier and you actually recover faster from stress.
Also see: Do workplace wellness programs adequately address stress?
[Image: Fotolia]
Also see: Do workplace wellness programs adequately address stress?
[Image: Fotolia]
