With everything going on in the World today, I thought it would be timely to discuss something affecting us all:
STRESS!
While experiencing stress, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol, which is normal and actually healthy.
In fact, cortisol can help save your life!
Let’s say you’re driving down the highway and a car swerves in front of you. Your body instantly elevates your cortisol levels, which helps you mentally and physically prepare to handle this dangerous situation by quickly hitting the brakes or changing lanes to avoid an accident.
Once a stressful situation has passed, however, it’s vitally important that we allow our bodies to relax, which helps our cortisol levels return to normal.
Simple, right?
The REALITY is that we live in an always on, always connected, 24/7 world (think email, mobile phones, SMS, instant messaging and 24 hour news). In this multi-tasking environment we seldom relax, keeping our cortisol levels high for prolonged periods.
From life saver to health hazard, here are just a few of the problems prolonged elevated levels of cortisol can have on your body:
- Mental focus and memory problems
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased abdominal fat (which can lead to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke)
The good news is that there’s something simple you can do to help reduce both stress and the cortisol in your bloodstream:
LAUGH!
Here are some easy things you can do to add levity to your life:
- Instead of turning on CNN or reading the front page of the newspaper, read your favorite comic strip first thing in the morning. Some of my favorites can be found on WashingtonPost.com
- Learn one new joke a day and share it with a friend. LOL
- TiVo (record) your favorite TV sitcoms and watch them with a loved one. Laughing is contagious and it’s always special when you can enjoy good comedy with someone you care about.
- Turn on some good music and dance around the house. Being silly is mandatory. I do this with my kids a lot and we all have a good laugh at Daddy’s expense
- Visit your local Comedy Club. My wife and I recently went to the DC Improv and I haven’t laughed that hard in YEARS!
What are some of the things YOU like to do to have a good laugh? Leave your answer in the comments section below!
Until next time!
Buck
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