July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

How To Say No To Stress:

By Mark Underwood

Stress affects people in many different ways. It often creeps up when we feel overwhelmed or feel pressured to accomplish something in a short amount of time.

Stress triggers an alarm in the brain, telling our bodies that something is wrong. The ‘fight or flight’ response calls in the nervous system to respond and hormones to be released, jolting the body into action. Muscles become tense, breathing increases, and pulse quickens.

Heightening the senses during a crisis is essential to survival. This is a natural and important biological response. The body is designed for short bursts of activity in response to stress or danger, but the ongoing nature of daily stress often means that the system is left ‘on’ to respond.

Recognize that you can learn how to lead a less stressful life. Recognize too, that when you alleviate the stress, it can help you live a longer, healthier life.

Stress signals

Stress reactions vary from person to person, and can involve mental, physical, or behavioral changes. Headaches and fatigue are common signals that the body is over-worked.

While you may have a mild headache due to stress, another person’s headache may be so uncomfortable they have difficulty concentrating. A stress-related headache may also mean you have tight muscles or have difficulty sleeping.

Some people experience a combination of stress signals making it difficult to work and turn off stressful thoughts in their brain while they sleep.

Change the choices you make

Did you realize the choices you make can lead to more or less stress? Try to pinpoint what you’re anxious about. Are you feeling stressed because you don’t have time to finish a project before its deadline? Are you worried that a friend may have misinterpreted something you said? Or maybe everything you think about seems to have a worry attached?

Now is the time to use your brainpower to tackle these types of stressors. Try adjusting your thinking by asking yourself if your worries are small, medium or big problems. How upset do you want to get over it and for how long? Look at the possibilities around you, not the restrictions.

Nutrition and exercise also play a big part in reducing stress. Most people are exposed to sweets, particularly when they visit friends. Eating too many sweets adds to feeling stressed and run down. Instead, try eating simple foods. Reprogram your thinking so that you enjoy the people around you instead of the food.

Learn to say ‘no’ when something becomes too difficult to fit in your schedule or accomplish during a short period of time. Listen to your inner voice. If something feels stressful and it keeps replaying as stress in your head, give yourself permission to say no. If you do this more often, you’ll enjoy a less stressful life.

Plan To Be Less-Stressed: Tips for Success

• Work on having a positive attitude.

• Try not to worry about things out of your control.

• When feeling overwhelmed by a task, ask yourself – is this something you enjoy or is it just something you think you’re supposed to do?

• Problem solve with people around you. Ask them to help you alleviate stress.

• Eat nutritional food. Decrease the amount of fat and sugar you eat. The easiest way to make sure you don’t overeat is to have a solid plan for dealing with stress before you go to family gatherings or parties. Nutritional stress can drain your energy.

• Maintain a regular exercise program. Exercise helps on many levels. It releases the build-up of glucose in the muscles and relaxes them, and increases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that increase good overall sleep.

• Rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep a night. A good night’s sleep rejuvenates the mind as well as the body.

• Play board games or card games with friends. You’ll enjoy the benefits of improved brain health as well as social interaction, which is all important to healthy aging.

Mark Underwood is a neuroscience researcher, president, and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience, a biotech company located in Madison, Wisconsin focused on the discovery and development of medicines to treat age related memory loss and the diseases of aging. Mark has been taped as an expert in the field of neuroscience for The Wall Street Journal Morning Radio, CBS, and CNN Radio among others. Underwood is also a contributor to the “Brain Health Guide” which highlights the research at Quincy Bioscience and offers practical tips to help keep health brain function in aging. Visit www.TheGoodNewsAboutAging.com for more articles and tips for healthy aging.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...