Stress is a part of our daily lives. Stress can even be a good thing! But when you are stressed for too long, your body can suffer negative consequences. There are easy things that you can do to lower your daily stress levels to stay as healthy as possible!

• Avoid drugs and alcohol: drugs and alcohol may seem like a quick fix but they can cause serious health problems, leading to more stress down the road.
• Find support: sometimes you just need to vent about what is stressing you out to a friend, family member, partner, religious figure, or counselor.
• Get out of the house: even if you don't feel like being social, hanging out with people you like can alleviate the burden of being stressed.
• Stay active: volunteer in the community, take your dog on a walk, get together with your family for dinner.
• Recognize when you need more help.: if the stress is taking over your quality of life or for an extended period of time, it may be time to seek help. Talk with a therapist or counselor to see if there is a way to minimize the stress in your life.
• Eat well: fruits and veggies will make you look and feel better, provide your body with better energy, and won't contribute to weight gain.
• Stay active: angry at someone? Try kickboxing to get out that frustration. Want to escape a stressful situation? "Run away" from your problem with a run around the neighborhood or on the treadmill
• Sleep tight: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep a night so that you have the energy you need to tackle your problems the next day
• Treat yourself: when you reach your breaking point, take a step back. Take a break and do something relaxing, whether that is getting a massage, going dancing, fishing, or just reading a good book!
• Settle in: having a healthy routine can eliminate the stressors of unexpected surprises throughout your day

www.cdc.gov