Fran Spelgatti

Anxiety? Backache? Depression? Forgetfulness? Headache? Insomnia? Isolation?

Do those symptoms sound familiar? If they do, you may be one of the many people today suffering from chronic stress.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), stress is caused by the body's instinct to defend itself. In essence, it's your body's response to anything you consider overwhelming – good or bad. Change, fear, uncertainty, conflict, attitudes and perceptions can all cause you to become stressed.

Stress can be useful in small doses, giving you the drive you need to finish daily tasks. Even extreme stress can be good in situations that call for quick action. However, stress can work against you if it occurs consistently in response to daily problems and struggles. It eventually takes over your life, robbing you of joy and making every day a struggle.

In that case, your body is working overtime to produce hormones you don't need all the time. This can lead to irritation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia and many other mental, physical and social symptoms. Studies have even linked stress to increased risk of uterine and breast cancer in women and higher heart disease and stroke rates in men.

Stress means different things to different people, though. Some people get extremely stressed over the thought of going to a party, while others seek out stressful experiences like skydiving. The key is to understand what your body is telling you. Learn when you're feeling stressed and what events trigger the feeling. The next step is to determine how you're going to deal with your excess stress.

Although stress is prevalent in Western society today, there are ways to combat stress and regain balance and joy in your life. Regular exercise goes a long way toward relieving pent-up energy and giving your body the resources to fight the effects of stress. Adequate sleep, breaks during your day, and balanced meals are all integral to maintaining a stress-free life, says the Centers for Disease Control.

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) advises people to learn to say no to unnecessary demands, to shed the urge to be a superhero, and to find a support group of caring individuals. For those who need more help managing their stress, both the AAFP and the NMHA recommend relaxation training and visualization, both of which are integral components of the Positive Changes six-point system.

Though stress can often make you feel overwhelmed and isolated, there's no need to live your life trying to avoid unhappiness rather than focusing on being happy. There is help. Relax -- today can be the first day of your stress-free future!

CD process HT-003 - Remove Stress and Frustration -  Just as a sponge absorbs water, so too your subconscious mind will soak up these soothing hypnotic suggestions and train your brain to yield spontaneous relaxation, helping you to create a dynamically healthy body.