Stress Dangerously Raises Cholesterol Levels

Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time, and another of accountants during tax season, have shown significant increases in cholesterol levels during stressful events ? when there was little change in diet.

Interesting isn't it!

Are you caught up in modern day life? Do you have a mix of crazy work deadlines, household responsibilities and family needs -- perhaps car problems or some bills that need urgent payment? You need to be very careful: Medical researchers have now discovered a link between periods of severe stress and increased cholesterol levels.

That's right: your hectic 'stressful lifestyle' might be boosting the levels of tiny fat particles in your bloodstream. That's because during stressful times, chemical messengers are released that prepare your body for the fight-or-flight response. These hormonal changes can raise your total cholesterol.

But that's not all. Stress can have a powerful, indirect effect on your cholesterol too. If you overeat, smoke, or turn into a couch potato in response to stress, you're giving in to unhealthy lifestyle habits that can raise levels of LDL's (bad cholesterol) and grind down levels of HDL's (good cholesterol). Gaining weight, eating lots of foods high in saturated fats, smoking, and avoiding exercise can all bury healthy cholesterol.

In a recent study, 77% of individuals with high levels of stress were able to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels simply by training themselves to stay calm.

It is possible that a bit of stress can be helpful, BUT that depends on how a person reacts to stress. If stress leads to more eating, smoking, sitting, brooding and a more depressed mood - then stress may well be harmful. If it leads to more activity, walking, gardening, even fidgeting - that may be beneficial for your artery walls but not necessarily beneficial for you!

So, what do you do?

Well you really need to balance your overall cholesterol-lowering plan by learning to manage your hectic lifestyle.

Say "No"
Make it a priority to manage your time and emotions.
* Free up time for the activities that really matter
* Say no to burdensome requests.

Think before filling your stomach
* Are you really hungry?
* Or are you angry, lonely, tired, or frustrated?

Before you give in to emotional eating, try the following
* Wait a few minutes
* Try a piece of fruit first
* Take a short walk
* Call a friend
* Or--if you're up late at night stressing over your crazy life?go to bed.

Treat Yourself
Get a massage; go for a swim?whatever relaxes your body.

Mingle
Make time for your family and friends.

Be Joyful
Look for the humor in life, and laugh out loud. Tell a joke, read a funny book

Relax
Set aside 10 minutes a day to close your eyes and focus gently on your breathing and on the positive things in your life

That Brings Us To Meditation!

Until recently, the primary purpose of meditation has been religious, although its health benefits have long been recognized. It is now being further explored as a way of reducing stress on both mind and body.

Studies have found that regular meditation can:
* Reduce healthcare use
* Increase longevity and quality of life
* Reduce chronic pain
* Reduce anxiety
* Reduce high blood pressure
* Reduce serum cholesterol level
* Reduce substance abuse
* Increase intelligence-related measures
* Reduce post-traumatic stress syndrome in Vietnam veterans
* Lower blood cortisol levels initially brought on by stress

So you see, apart from just helping to lower cholesterol levels, there are many other life benefits to meditating!

Wishing you the very best in your endeavors

Ramzi Abboud
Cholesterol Consultant, Author and President
Lower-Cholesterol-Naturally-Fast

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ramzi Abboud is a recognized authority on the subject of lowering cholesterol. His website, http://www.lower-cholesterol-naturally-fast.c om provides a wealth of information on every thing you'll ever need to know about lowering cholesterol, including information on over 40 natural supplements that can help to melt away your high cholesterol levels

---

How to Relieve Stress

One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More

Stress Buster Tip: Relax From The Weekday Stack!

Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More

7 Successful Stress Management Techniques

Everyone needs successful stress management techniques. Easy to learn and... Read More

Relieve Anxiety with Hypnosis

There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More

Alleviate Stress Without Pills!

We all have it; we live with it daily: stress.... Read More

Technology and Stress- How to Prevent Technology From Taking Over Your Life

1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More

The Work of Byron Katie - Freedom From Stress is Only 4 Questions Away

All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More

Reduce Your Stress

If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More

Stress Can Create Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More

The Jerk is Never Me

Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More

How Stress Effects Neurotransmitters

The brain uses feel-good transmitters called endorphins when managing daily... Read More

Stress Control: Tough Leadership vs. Easy Does It

Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More

Workaholism: 4 Universal Laws for Recovery

The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work.... Read More

Stress Management: Declare Your Freedom From...

1)Excessive worryNo, I'm not saying "don't worry, be happy."Well-used worry... Read More

Put the 80/20 Rule to Work for Your Life!

Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More

Stress Management and Mastery: The Power of REST

Rest.It's a good thing to do. As the story goes,... Read More

Are YOU Controlling Stress So Stress Does Not Control YOU?

Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More

No More Sleepless Nights (Insomnia)

Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More

Hypnosis CDs - Relief from Stress

The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More

Instant Relaxation Anytime Anywhere

If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More

Stress Mangement and Mastery: How to Defeat Sunday Night Syndrome

Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More

Stress Management

Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More

Planning Stress Management

Deadlines at work, demanding bosses, bills to be paid at... Read More

A 2-Minute Stress Buster

Meditation seems to have arrived in the mainstream of late,... Read More

Using Exercise to Relieve Stress

Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More

Stress Management: Workaholism is a Thief

Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More

The Top 10 Steps to DeStress

Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More

Can You Say Yes To Less Stress

A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make... Read More

Reduce Stress and Enjoy More Sleep

If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More

Reclaim Your Life - Extraordinary Self-Care Day

When was the last time you took a day just... Read More

5 Easy Ways to Pamper Yourself

Life is so busy and as mothers we spend so... Read More

Dealing With Stress in Our Overworked Lives

As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More