Benefits of stress reduction

Stress is a national epidemic. Nearly half of Americans say that stress is damaging the quality of their daily life both personally and professionally. Stress can cause a very wide range of physical and emotional problems. A new study in JAMA Neurology found that people with severe stress conditions— such as PTSD, acute stress reactions or adjustment disorder (situational depression) — are at an increased risk for vascular neurodegenerative diseases.

Your stress response affects your metabolism and is associated with an increased level of oxidized lousy LDL cholesterol — the one that causes plaque to form in your arteries and can lead to cardiovascular disease — according to a new study in Scientific Reports.

A persistent negative stress response weakens your immune systems’ ability to battle infection and makes you more susceptible to colds and flu (or COVID-19) and can make some autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, worse.

Stress can worsen symptoms of preexisting mental illness and trigger bouts of depression and anxiety. It can also damage relationships and cause sexual dysfunction.

Clearly, finding ways to manage your stress response is vital for improving your health and quality of life. Here’s how to begin to control it.

— Today, start meditating for at least 10 minutes, morning and night. Go to ClevelandClinicWellness.com/programs and download the app, StressFreeNow.

— Get your primary care doc involved. Identify and treat your health problems related to stress.

— Find a therapist who can help you negotiate your reactions to life’s challenges.

— Make aerobic and strengthbuilding physical activity (some moderate, some vigorous) part of your daily routine, aiming for at least an hour five days a week. — Upgrade your diet. — Improve your sleep routine. Keep it dark and quiet.