You probably go about your daily life not realizing that the thoughts you think which leads to the attitude and behavior you display out in the world has a direct link to your health and well-being not to mention the healthy or non-healthy state of your relationships. Most people are walking around too serious and with too many negative thoughts in their head. It can tip you towards stress and research tells us that chronic stress harms your health and your relationships.

Did you know that researchers now tell us that a positive outlook on life can reduce the impact of stress on your health? According to The Centre for Disease Combat and Prevention in the USA up to 90% of Doctor visits are triggered by a stress related illness. You certainly don't want to let stress get hold of you as studies show that high levels of stress trigger many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart attacks and can lead to obesity and high blood pressure too.

Latest research shows that severe stress injures and can kill cells in your brain and body which of course opens you up to related disease or disorders associated with stress including rapid aging. Yes the diseases of old age set in!

It's important to know how to stay on top of stress. Stress is part of life. Stress happens such as in incidences related to a car accident, death, divorce, moving house etc. You cannot avoid stress however you can manage it so it does not become chronic where you are open to major concerns.

Dr Epel from the University of California in a study found that there are a number of factors that have protection effects that can help buffer potential damage of ongoing stress. Here are some tips to support a brighter disposition and a good start to a good stress management regime:

? Laughter ? it has been used by some cultures as a therapeutic stress management technique for thousands of years. Today researchers tell us that laughter is a tremendous healing activity. According to Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler, brain/mind researcher, laughter boosts your immune system, clears waste products out of your internal organs and tissues and increases the oxygen in your body, both at a cellular and organ level. Dr Ammon-Wexler makes an interesting note that cancel cells die in the presence of oxygen So get yourself some funny movies, cds or books and have a good belly laugh.

? Support - I highly recommend you go and check out Stress Cops Radio Program with Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler visit http://radio.weblogs.com/0148642/ to get even more tips and tools to ensure you are well versed and inspired into action to support the best in you so you can live a brighter, healthier and happier life. Ultimately truly living in the spirit of Christmas. Your mind, thoughts, attitude is very powerful. You need to learn how it works and how to make it work the best for you. Remember as researchers dig deep they are finding more and more that stress and negative emotions are deadly!

? Commit to change - if you are a reasonably serious person start by committing to seeing the lighter, brighter or funnier side of everything before mid-day. This way you start to become aware of your automated thoughts and views and start to change them through awareness and focus. You will notice the negative voices in your head and stop them dead in their tracks and over-ride them with something positive and bright. You will refocus and if you get stuck just focus on sending out love and gratitude for everyone you come into contact with and for everything in your view. Yes even the light switch ? be grateful for its invention after all it makes your life brighter! This will be your job until mid-day each day for one week. Then increase it week by week.

Go on challenge yourself to create a healthier mind and you will have a healthier body and a healthier life. Your relationships will be healthier too because of your brighter and positive attitude. You will be a pleasure to be around! So try laughter and choose the power of positive thought and you will be more relaxed, less stressed and as we now know from research ? healthier and thus in a much more festive spirit this coming Christmas season!