Terms like stressed-out, anxiety, freaked and worried seem like they’re getting used more and more lately. With ongoing wars overseas, high gas prices, lay-offs and increasing foreclosure rates, stress levels certainly seem to be on the rise. Additionally, with the explosion of new tools that “enhance productivity,” like cell-phones, PDAs, instant messaging, and super-small computers that can be taken anywhere, it seems like we can never fully unplug from our professional lives and other commitments anymore – even on vacation (that is, if we have time or money to take one). We live in a society that puts a premium on more and better. More square footage in a house; better looks through plastic surgery; and more money from, of course, a better job.

There seems to be no end to the whirlwind that has become the 21st Century. And there likely won’t be.

Working long hours. Paying too much for a house to afford the mortgage. Wanting to look like a 25 year old when you’re in your 50s. All of these situations, which have obviously increased in recent years, create stress and anxiety – and therefore the “stress response.” The fact is, the stress response, a complex process of reactions in the body, is developed in every mammal and prepares it to “fight or flee” during actual situations of danger, such as when one of our ancestors was being chased by a saber toothed tiger. Now that’s stressful! Our brain reacts to these situations by pulling blood to the large muscles of our body so we can react. Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing speed up. We get a rush of adrenaline. All of these changes enable us to fight better or run faster.

However, we rarely face actual situations like these anymore, but in terms of the stress response, our brains cannot differentiate between being attacked and being late for a crucial meeting that could make or break a career. All of these same functions occur, so we feel “stressed out.” People who live with goals that are difficult to reach or are just plain unrealistic will almost inevitably face chronic stress. If people can’t obtain the “stuff” they want, they may be constantly anxious.

The biological processes of long-term stress are beyond the scope of this article. However, ongoing stress affects virtually every system in the body, including the endocrine and immune systems. Our bodies try to adapt, but eventually stress will likely have a negative impact on our health. Our immune systems can be compromised. We may experience high blood sugar and increased bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Here is a partial laundry list – established by medical research – of several health conditions that can worsen (or even appear) under conditions of constant mental stress: asthma, depression, heart disease, compromise of the immune system, high blood pressure, sexual problems, diabetes, obesity, itching, hives, gastrointestinal problems (ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome), reduced resistance to viruses and bacterial infections, arthritis, and many, many other conditions.

It’s no wonder why the well-respected non-profit American Institute of Stress (AIS) notes that between 75 to 90 % of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints.

Yes, as we all say, stress is inevitable in today’s world. But maybe it’s time we started to address it seriously by slowing down our lifestyles or at least incorporating some useful relaxation techniques that have been proven by 40 years of medical research to reduce stress and its harmful effects. Deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery – they are not just for monasteries and yoga studios anymore. They should be central to our system of healthcare and part of everyone’s wellness program.

Part 2 – Simple Exercises to Reduce Stress and Promote Relaxation

Troy is the Founder and President of MBL Wellness, a firm that is working to provide useful, scientifically validated wellness education to the public.

MBL’s site contains a lot of free stress tools, such as downloadbale exercises, a video and written materials. http://www.mblwellness.com. See www.stress.org for additional information about the effects of stress.