Polarizing political opinions creating extra stress in your life? Here are a few tips to survive the election season.

Stress is a natural part of life. Without some stress we would lose our energy for living.  We can thrive with the right amounts; however too much or too little stress will limit our effectiveness. Ideally, we find our optimal level of stress to be the balance at which we are most motivated, but not overwhelmed.  

Prolonged unhealthy amounts of stress can lead to, or complicate health problems. Some people attempt to cope with high stress levels through increased tobacco, alcohol or other substance use, but this really is not a helpful approach to coping with stress. 

There are three ways to eliminate unhealthy stress:

• Change the circumstances that cause it.
• Change the way you think and feel about it.
• Learn and use anti-stress exercises to reduce stress.

Aside from entering into counseling, and learning new coping skills to change the way we think and feel about the stressful things in life, there are a number of things we can do that research has shown as helpful in reducing stress levels.

Get Dirty:

Gardening has been shown to lower cortisol levels and boost mood among many people who had just finished a stressful task. It is thought that doing something that requires “involuntary attention” — like sitting back and enjoying nature — helps to renew ourselves and reduce unhealthy stress. The fall colors are showing get out and enjoy them. Raking leaves later would be a great way to "work off" any frustrated feelings you may have.

Have a Good Laugh:

If you’re feeling stressed, perhaps it’s time to take a little YouTube break. The Mayo Clinic reported that laughter promotes endorphin release in the brain and relaxes the muscles, which are all key for stress relief.  And, a 1989 study in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences showed that “mirthful laughter” is linked with lower blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol.  Laughter can also ease pain. 

Enjoy Some Chocolate:

Dark chocolate is a source of antioxidants having health benefits for the heart, and it can also help to lower stress. A 2009 study showed that eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate a day for a two-week period was linked with lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Please keep in mind that chocolate still contains sugar and lots of calories, so make sure you’re eating the chocolate in small amounts, and slowly to make the enjoyment last longer.

What is viewed as stressful is different for different people.  When some of us think of stress, images of rush hour traffic may come to mind, some individuals find holiday stress difficult, and others may think of the pressure they feel while working.  Homemakers and children experience their own personal stress too.

Using Hypnosis For Stress Management:

Medical experts believe that stress causes or complicates about 90% of  health problems and chronic diseases which are treated today.  Using self-hypnosis in your stress management plan will make it much easier to change those unhealthy habits into healthy behaviors and thought patterns, and improve your health and emotional well-being.  Dramatic results can often be achieved with hypnotic techniques including visualization and guided imagery.  The key to guided imagery is to learn to deeply relax.  These natural approaches to health help you experience deep relaxation, and give your subconscious mind suggestions that empower you to alleviate unhealthy stress.  Adding hypnotherapy in your stress management plan will make changing your unhealthy patterns into healthy behaviors and thought patterns happen easily and more quickly than trying to do it alone.