Ongoing stress can be very harmful to your health and quality of life.  According to the American Psychological Association, stress effects 43 percent of all adults, and up to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are a direct result of disorders caused by stress.

The most common physical symptoms associated with chronic stress are irritability, fatigue, and lack of energy or motivation. Stress can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors – such as overeating, eating unhealthy foods, or skipping meals – and can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to more fatigue, problems with concentration, impaired coordination, and delayed reaction times.

The more stressed we are, the more disconnected we become from our true selves. This often leaves us in a state of confusion, imbalance, and anxiety. It is so easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of the world around us and to lose contact with our own rhythms.

As human beings, we will always have stress. However, it is important to realize that we do have a great deal of control over its effects on our lives. Staying in tune with our emotional, physical, and spiritual needs can help us to empower ourselves and remain in a state of harmony. Learning and regularly practicing stress-reduction techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and meditation can greatly affect the way in which you handle life's challenges, help you maintain balance, and improve the quality of your life.
The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by stress, try one of the following suggestions:

• Practice gratitude. Simply acknowledging what we do have and what is working in our lives can dramatically shift the way we see ourselves and our current circumstances.
• Practice deep-breathing exercises. Find a comfortable position in a quiet room and close your eyes. Focus on your breath, picturing all your stress evaporating with each exhalation. As you inhale, imagine light and vitality flowing through your body. In this moment, you are connecting with yourself and your spirit, integrating all the parts of you and becoming whole.
• Connect with spirituality. Our relationship with the spiritual world — whether we call it God or the Universe or whatever resonate for us — can be a powerful coping mechanism. Spirituality and religion teaches us that everything happens for a reason. Learning to let go of the need to understand why things happen the way they do is a big step towards a life of less stress.
• Practice mindfulness. Stop what you are doing and take account of your surroundings. Notice the hum of the refrigerator, the feel of the carpet on your bare feet, the taste of each bite of food. As you tune in to your environment, you will likely find your memory and sense of focus becoming sharper. Many moments of "absentmindedness" are a result of a lack of consciousness.
• Schedule relaxation time. Set aside some time in your day for rest and relaxation. Don't allow other obligations to intrude on this time.