Are You Over-Stressed?

Fourteen Habits of the Overstressed and Unhappy

Interested in increasing your risk for reduced immune function, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and even flu? Not a problem, just keep yourself in a constant state of stress using these fourteen pointers (adapted from Hyscience and Psych Central):

TAKE PLENTY OF STIMULANTS. Caffeine or nicotine induced hyperactivity is an excellent contributor to stress and coffee, cigarettes, energy drinks and soda will do the job just fine. I’m partial to mass quantities of diet coke.

GET RID OF YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. – You don’t have time for friends anyway.

PROCRASTINATE. You can take care of it later, at the last minute, with your boss standing over you and your job on the line.

STAY UP LATE: Sleep is for wimps and those who have too much time on their hands. Besides, the best reruns are on between one and two a.m.

WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN’T CONTROL – After all, a meteorite could hit you while you’re asleep or your bladder could explode (see diet coke comment above).

NEVER EXERCISE. Exercise is tiring and wastes a lot of time that could be spent worrying.

GUILT IT UP – You’ll never meet the expectations for everyone around you so you might as well spend your life stressed-out and guilt ridden.

NEVER LAUGH – This is another activity of the well balanced which should be avoided by the truly stressed out.

PERSONALIZE ALL CRITICISM. Anyone who doesn’t sing your accolades is obviously attacking you. Be offended, internalize and feed the stressful bitterness.

ANGER MANAGEMENT – (Forget anger management)…. “Serenity now” is a phrase for those who want peace, calm and tranquility.

TAKE YOUR WORK HOME – Really, 10 hours at the job is inadequate for the high salary you’re paid.

SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU MAKE – There’s nothing like being called by creditors when you have no money in the bank.

BECOME A PERFECTIONIST. You’re not one already? Perfectionism will contribute to your anxiety level, enabling you to reach a new stress plateau.

WATCH 24 – Ok, this might not contribute to long-term stress but I needed on more and watching Jack Bauer fight terrorism is raised my blood pressure beyond legal limits.

If, on the other hand, you value your health, happiness and sanity, do the opposite and take a look at the pointers published by Richard.

Did we miss a few of your favorite stressful activities?

http://www.diabetologica.com/2007/03/fourteen_habits_of_the_overstr/

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/ 

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/