That's Fit

For some of us, stress levels are so high that we sometimes have difficulty functioning, while for other people it never manifests past the point of minor distraction. Still, unless you're Buddha himself, you deal with at least some amount of stress.

Stress is related to adverse health effects in 43 percent of adults in the U.S., and it is linked to several leading causes of deaths (eg. heart disease, cancer, etc.). We are an overworked society, one that is headlong into a mortgage crisis and economic recession. Gas is over $4 a gallon. We are at war. The climate is changing. Stressed? Yeah, and for good reason.

However, it's vital to our health that we take steps to manage these stressful feelings -- which can range from anxiety and irritability to fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. Experts suggest identifying stressors and learning to cope using any number of stress-reducing techniques. Here are just a few ways that you can naturally keep stress levels under control.

• Be sure to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep each night
• Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes at least three times per week
• Try meditation and controlled breathing techniques
• Seek social support. Spend time with those you care about
• Seek treatment with a psychologist or other health professional that specializes in stress management
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals
• Come to terms with the fact that there are some events that are out of your control
• Try to keep a positive attitude