Are you guilty of one of these four Common Stress Habits? If you are... it might be time for a change. It turns out that none of these actually help you in the long run... nor do they really help you in the short run either.

1. Smoking

When I use to work at a warehouse I would hear people talk about how they were so stressed that they need a cigarette... however smoking doesn't actually relieve tension or improve anyone's mood. Scientists say that rather than helping smokers relax, nicotine—which is a stimulant— actually increases anxiety and tension. The relaxing effect of smoking is alleged to be a mere psychological addiction.

2. Drug/Alcohol Use

Drug and alcohol are what I like to call a 'Quick Fix,' they may make you feel better right now but... the relief is only temporary. Long-term use of prescription medications can result in dependency or adverse side effects. In other words, any types of drug and alcohol can only help in one way, you need to take care of yourself in many factors in order to be healthy and happy. You can't be dependant on drugs... even if prescribed from your doctor.

3. Emotional Eating

Chocolates, cup cakes, ice cream... maybe even a full pizza! Comfort food is a fun idea... but it doesn't actually reduce stress. Several studies have proved that emotional eating may temporarily help ease stress, but this temporary relief is no comparison to the regret the next day... not to mention the inevitable health problems in the long run. Just remember, everything in moderation!

Time for a change? Here are some healthier and more effective ways to deal with stress:

Drinking herbal tea

Playing with your pets

Bubble baths

Nature walks

Working Out

Talking to loved ones

Practicing yoga

Playing an instrument

Listening to music

Reading a good book

Making a craft

Meditation

Journaling

Need some inspiration?

Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other."—Joseph Addison

"From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health."—Catalan Proverb

"Today, more than 95 percent of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise."—Mike Adams

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"—Proverb

"The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition."—Thomas Edison

"Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one."—Astrid Alauda

"Mainstream medicine would be way different if they focused on prevention even half as much as they focused on intervention..." —Unknown

"Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it."—Josh Billings

Hello. Nice to meet you! How are you? Hmm... this feels like a really one-sided conversation... why don't you follow me on social media so I can get to know you too!

About the author

I started blogging about two years ago, and my collection of blogs and articles is getting pretty impressive. I’ve taken online classes for writing, and even some classes about the art of blogging itself. It would be really awesome if you joined the adventure, and maybe even helped me think of what to write about next. If you would like to submit some feedback or ideas, you can always tweet me on Twitter.

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Work Cited

“Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis.” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0495.

“The 50 Best Quotes About Health &amp; Nutrition.” Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles, 25 Sept. 2013, www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/quotes-about-health/.