Stress is a sneaky beast. A little can be a great motivator, helping us meet whatever challenges we face. But too much stress tears at the very fabric of your physical and emotional health.

Stress is brought on by all sorts of high-pressure situations, both negative and positive. We all suffer from it every day to varying degrees, but how it affects you is very different from how it affects me or anyone else.

Fortunately our bodies send out lots of "early warning" signals. Understanding your body's signals can help you recognize your stress response, find ways to counteract stress and lead a healthier life.

Watch for These Early Warning Signs of Stress:

Headaches Nausea Depression Tearfulness Irritability Hair twirling Indigestion Fatigue Chest pain Hypochondria Dry mouth Anger

Sweaty palms Skin problems Desire to "run away" Heart palpitations Undereating or overeating Drinking or smoking too much Menstrual irregularities Diarrhea or constipation Decreased productivity Sleeping too much or too little Muscle spasms/tightness

Of course, stress isn't the only cause for any of these symptoms. Please consult a physician right away if you're experiencing a severe case of any of them.

Everyday Ways to Manage Your Stress

The simple techniques described below can help relieve both physical and emotional tension:

Breathe - Deep breathing is an enormously effective "pressure valve." While sitting, lying down, or standing, close your eyes and breathe in slowly. Let the breath out for a count of five to ten seconds. Repeating this process will help you relax.

Learn to Say No - Be honest with your coworkers when your workload is too heavy. You cannot be productive when overworked.

Create a Routine - Regular planning will help avoid stressful rushes.

Find a Relaxing Hobby - Get involved with a hobby that gives you joy. Just thinking about your hobby is a relaxing way to get yourself out of a stressful moment.

Limit Caffeine Intake - Caffeine can create tension and build anxiety.

Eat Well - Eat a balanced diet that matches your lifestyle. And watch out for "comfort" foods...don't manage your stress at the expense of your waistline.

Exercise - All kinds of physical activity - hiking, running, bowling, and walking - help reduce stress. I get some of my best thinking done while I'm exercising.

Learn to Communicate More Effectively - One excellent way of managing stress is reducing the opportunity for it to exist. The more clearly you express yourself to someone and the more actively you listen to them the less chance there is for stressful misunderstandings to develop.

Get It Off Your Chest - Take time to talk with someone close to you - a friend, spouse, or child. Express those feelings you might have been holding inside.

Get a Massage

This is my personal favorite. But some people find that getting a professional massage is in itself a stressful thing to do. Thanks to recent technological advances, though, getting a really good massage is easier than ever. The secret: a robotic massage recliner.

Think a good robotic massage recliner is beyond your means? You may be in for a surprise. The engineers at Interactive Health have come up with Human Touch Technology. They spent ten years and millions of dollars perfecting it. Man, it's the closest thing to a professional massage I've ever experienced. It's also less expensive than a lot ordinary recliners.

Click here to check it out. Or give us a call at 1-877-696-3342 and let one of our experts assist you. Go ahead...you deserve it!