How to Effectively Address Stress

Are you stressed out? Well, if you answered yes you’re not alone. According to a 2013 study by the American Psychological Association, seven in ten Americans reported that they feel the physical symptoms of stress regularly and almost one in two Americans reported lying awake at night due to stress. Another study featured in USA Today stated that Americans are actively looking for solutions for their stress. In fact, more than half of the people surveyed in this study expressed that they had been actively trying to reduce their stress for the past five years. It also reported that people are most stressed out about money, work and the economy.

So, what exactly is stress and what effect does it have on our bodies? According to WebMD, stress is our body’s reaction to harmful situations that may be real or perceived. It triggers a “fight or flight” stress response, which causes an increase in one’s heart rate and breathing and raises blood pressure. Over time, this kind of physiological stress can take a toll on physical and mental health. The effects of long term stress range from a change in emotions to more serious issues such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease.

While a large number of people suffer from stress, the good news is that it is something that each of us can control. There isn’t any reason for people to live in a state of constant stress. Below, we’ve featured a conversation between Sadhguru and Arianna Huffington that will help you understand the nature of stress and what you can do to effectively address it.

What next steps will you take to eliminate stress from your life? Tell us in the comments below!