De-stressing life is taking action to reduce the impact of stress following a period of continual tension, typically associated with being at work. There are many ways to de-stress, but combination different de-stressing goals together or in sequence may have a beneficial and compounding effect. See how many of these eight "de-stress dimensions" you can experience at the end of your day.  1) Get physical - participate in aerobic exercise. 2) Socialize with others who share the same stress 3)…

Postpartum mood disorders are not uncommon after having a baby, affecting one in eight woman. They generally fall into three groups: the blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis (which is rare). Know the symptoms and talk to your health care provider if you notice any of the following: crying more than usual, feelings of anger, feeling overwhelmed, sleep problems, wanting to isolate yourself from loved ones, feeling disconnected  from your baby, worry that you will hurt your baby,…

One important stress management technique is detachment, which helps build resilience. An example is taking a vacation. One powerful and healthy way to detach that you may not have heard of is "flow activity." A flow activity is any activity such as gardening, painting, reading for pleasure, needlework, or dancing that can absorb your complete attention in a meaningful, goal-directed, pleasurable, and completely distracting way. When you are busy and under stress, it's easy to fall into an…

Fifteen to 20 percent of adults report high job stress, but these same employees are less likely to participate in wellness programs. It appears that the more stress you face, the more at-risk you might be to neglect healthy countermeasures. High stress affects physical health, mental health, eating habits, and how you perceive your overall health. Avoid the downward spiral to ill health. Seek inspiration to become proactive in wellness. Experiencing high job stress? Don't wait to "feel like…

Spending just a few hours a week in moderate physical activity after age 65 may cut your risk of early death by over 50%. A study examined the health habits of 2,456 citizens in Finland over a 12-year period. Physical activity can be almost anything involving physical exertion - activities such as gardening, fishing, walking, and playing shuffleboard can all engage your body aerobically. If you find it difficult to commit to exercising, seek an activity that you love. The intrinsic reward of…

Working out or going to the gym every day before work can be a big challenge, but it will help you stay more consistently energized during the workday. If you typically get groggy in the afternoon, try this five-day experiment. Schedule a 20-minute brisk walk during your lunch hour or early afternoon. This routine will cause you to feel more awake, less sluggish, and less likely to doze off in the afternoon, thereby raising your productivity.

Prevention through screening could save the lives of 60 percent or more of those who will be diagnosed. Could you be one of them? The key myth about colorectal screening is than an unpleasant sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is the only way it's done. Talk to your doctor about an at-home smear test called a fecal occult blood test. This test is not a substitute for a colonoscopy, especially if you have had polyps found in a past colonoscopy. However, this test could still have your life if there is…

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) has recently announced its newest recommendation which is that medical doctors routinely screen for depression, especially in children, young adults, and women who have recently been pregnant. Depression has many symptoms, but in early stages it may be barely noticeable. Feeling less excited about things than you once were or experiencing sleep disturbance or a loss of energy are a couple…

Change can come fast, so develop this teachable life skill. Start by asking yourself some questions: 1) When sudden and unexpected change happens, do you quickly consider healthy actions in order to adapt to it with as little delays as possible? 2) Are you willing to be flexible in the choice of actions you must take? The best choice may not be the easiest or the least stressful in the short run. 3) Do you decide what you want from the change, which could be something entirely different, and…