You may think of techniques like yoga or meditation when it comes to trying to reduce stress. These are both great options to keep in your arsenal, but my personal favorite, which not only relieves stress but offers numerous other health benefits as well, is spending time with my furbabies. I count my dogs among my best friends. They’re loyal, unconditionally loving, and care about me without strings. They’ll jump up and lick my cheek when they think I’m sad, wait with bated breath when they think I’m talking to them, and sprint to the door with wagging tails every time I come home. They are my favorite running partners, and the cutest darn mooches I know. As it turns out, numerous studies have shown that pets like dogs and cats are not only great companions, but they’re good for your mental and physical health as well. Read more…

Tired, stressed, or depressed?  If you’re like 90% of the people I know, you’re tired most of the time, you don’t get enough solid sleep, you depend on caffeine for energy, and you’re stressed constantly, which leads to a moody or depressed funk far too often.  This description certainly encapsulates my everyday woes, or at least it used to.  But before I get into the solution that pulled me out of my funk once and for all, let’s talk about the cause.  Stress.  We all know that chronic stress is harmful.  It increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, susceptibility to infection, chronic muscle pain, skin problems (like psoriasis and eczema), and possibly diabetes. Chronic stress can also over-activate the immune system causing autoimmune illnesses such as arthritis and MS.  Stress becomes apparent in someone if they demonstrate impatient or hostile behavior and rapid speech patterns.  Stress doesn’t stop at the physical, however.  Psychologically, chronic stress can leave you with indecision and feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and a sense of being out of control, which could eventually cause depression.  And who wants to be the burnt-out grumpy guy with all the health problems?  Certainly not me, but it’s not like you can eliminate stress, so what can you do?  And WHY does stress have such a negative impact on us in the first place? Read more…