Quick Tips For Stress Relief

(NAPSI)-The next time you're feeling stressed, consider the good news, the bad news and the better news.

The Good News

You're not alone. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, roughly one in three people suffer from moderate to severe stress on a daily basis. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that three out of four Americans are stressed out by money and work.

The Bad News

Prolonged stress has been shown to damage memory cells and increase the risk of heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. Stress accumulates over time. Here's a list of "stress signals":

• Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge

• Being easily fatigued

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability

• Muscle tension, such as a chronic stiff neck or a painful shoulder

• Sleep disturbance: difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless, unsatisfying sleep.

The Better News

Mimi Donaldson is a stress management expert and author of "Bless Your Stress: It Means You're Still Alive!" She says all it takes to reduce stress may be a 10-minute break during the day. The benefits include an increase in energy, productivity and happiness.

"It's hard to find a person who hasn't experienced any signals of everyday stress," said Donaldson. "That's why I emphasize pressing the 'pause button' for 10 minutes a day. For example, taking time to enjoy a low-calorie, portion-controlled snack such as Nonni's Biscotti is a very manageable way to alleviate the buildup of daily stress. Remembering to treat yourself better will give you that added boost to get through the day with a renewed energy."

"Treat Yourself Better" Stress Relief Tips

• Focus on the things you truly can control: what you think, what you say, what you do, what you put into your mouth and what you do to your body.

• Give up your unofficial and ineffective hold on the forces of the universe.

• Use your all-purpose "pause button" before you go bananas over a long slow line or traffic jam.

• Do something nice for yourself. Relax and enjoy a healthy snack while you take some moments of reflection time.

• Move your body; exercise.

• Practice doing nothing. Investigate meditation and how it might help you.

• Do something nice for someone else. Let that impatient driver into your lane.

• Create a list of things for which you're grateful and read it daily.

Relaxing with a biscotti and a cup of coffee or tea can do more to relieve stress than many realize.

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