Mental Wellness
It’s nearly impossible to avoid stress. We are faced with it almost everyday, so short of living in a bubble, we should TRY to reduce our levels. Stress leads to high levels of cortisol that can wreak havoc on our cardiovascular system, add to our insulin resistance, disturb our sleep, and this is just the beginning. Clearly these affect our longevity.
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A large body of research shows that journaling, in which we write about thoughts, can reduce psychological stress and improve emotional well-being (1, 2). Who wants to be in a heightened and chronic state of cortisol highs which have been well-documented to be associated with high blood pressure, poor sleep, poor regulation, and many other states known to reduce our longevity (3, 4).
So grab a pen and a journal, diminish your stressors!
You can also try some over-the-counter mood enhancers like St. John’s worts and lovely natural aromas like incense and lavender. I encourage you to speak to your physician if stronger therapies are needed.
References:
(1) Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1986, 95(3), 274–281
(2) Psychological Bulletin, (2006) 132(6), 823–865.
(3) Journal of the American Medical Association, 1999, 281(14), 1304–1309
(4) Psychological Bulletin, 2006, 132(6), 823–865.