Stress can be cause by a myriad of reasons; they can be events, situations and things that cause stress. For many of us it is money worries, work and family life issues that cause us the greatest amount of stress. Health is another topic that can cause stress, especially for people that have chronic or painful conditions, medications to buy and testing that needs to be done, as well as the concern about the outcome of the prognosis.

There are many events, situations and things that cause stress. For most of us it is money worries, work and family life issues that cause us the greatest amount of stress. Health is another topic that can cause stress, especially for people that have chronic conditions, medications to buy and testing that needs to be done.

When you are facing stress whether it is acute (short term) or chronic (long term) stress it affects your overall physical and emotional health. Obviously short term stress is not as dangerous if you deal with the situation causing the stress and handle the stress properly. Chronic stress is another story, at first the symptoms that this stress causes may be very mild, but you may find that you are more susceptible to colds.

The longer the stress goes on though you may begin to experience more health problems such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, OCD or anxiety disorders, tooth and gum disease, sexual dysfunction, obesity, ulcers, fatigue and lethargy, difficulty sleeping and possibly death at the most extreme end.

There are a number of things you can do that can help you deal with stress. Part of it is dealing with the situation causing the stress, if you can. If you realize it's something beyond your control, simply letting go of trying to gain control will be stress relieving. Sometimes it means confronting the situation head on, and sometimes to means to put it on a shelf to deal with soon, but don't procrastinate too long and that only delays the stress itself.

Exercise is a wonderful tool for a number of people. Sometimes a good run or a round of aerobics or something else that will get your heart rate up can really help get the tension out of the body.

Sometimes we just need quiet. Quiet time and deep breathing can also help soothe jangled nerves. Perhaps taking a powerful nap would be very restorative. Turn off the cell phone, music, TV, computer and other noise making items, unwind and unplug!

Get a massage if you can. If you can't, do a hot foot soak bath for your feet, and run some beautiful scented oils on your feet afterward. Then put your feet up and relax.

Try to eat healthy, organic foods and drink plenty of fresh water. Get rid of the junk foods as they only provide temporary comfort, but longer term leave you feeling lousy.

Try to eat healthy, organic foods and drink plenty of fresh water. Get rid of the junk foods as they only provide temporary comfort, but longer term leaves you feeling lousy

Have some friends over for dinner, or go out for a meal. Surround yourself with positive people who care about you, but don't let the friendship be one sided. Share and enter into their lives as well, be a giver, not just a taker.

Write in a journal, sometimes getting your thoughts and anxieties on paper help diminish the power of those anxieties and worries.

Read a great book and curl up with a cup of chamomile tea.

Take a vacation, or even just a mini get away if you can, if it's camping.

Don't let stress ruin your health or your life. Take action today to help you live a more satisfying and less tension filled life.

Dont allow stress ruin your health or your life. Take action today to help you live a more comfortable and less tension filled life.