One of the main things you can do to help reduce your stress is to take what's known as a "news fast." You may want to go "cold turkey" and avoid the news entirely for a few days, to allow your nervous system to relax, and help your stress response and adrenal system calm down. Take advantage of your news fast to do some stress-reducing activities, such as meditation, prayer, sleep, deep breathing, or exercise.
Or, you may want to limit yourself to 30 minutes an evening of television news. One psychologist recommended to me that, even when you feel a need to stay up on the latest developments, you can minimize your stress by avoiding television and radio coverage and getting all your news by reading -- newspapers, Internet, or magazines. According to this psychologist, television and radio reports, because reporters themselves are often experiencing anxiety, tension and stress, broadcast news tends to make viewers and listeners more anxious, provoking the "flight or flight" response, while print coverage is less likely to induce intense stress.
Other Ways to Minimize Stress
Maintaining healthy practices, such as eating well, is especially important in times of high stress. Canadian author, psychologist and natural health expert Dr. Udo Erasmus also recommends supplementation to help ensure that the body is getting the nutrition it needs. Says Erasmus:
"Supplement the foods of those under stress or trauma with those essential nutrients that are typically depleted by stress. Of primary benefit in lifting depression and optimizing mental function are the essential fatty acids. These also help reduce risk of post-trauma anxiety and cardiovascular problems. Vitamins C and the B complex, depleted by stress, are necessary for brain function. Antioxidants, used up in large amounts during stress, are especially important for immune function and the prevention of stress-related degenerative illnesses. Magnesium, which is rapidly lost during stress, is required for brain, immune and insulin function; for cardiovascular health, and for good sleep. Digestive enzymes and friendly microorganisms help to keep digestive functions working at times of stress."
Dr. Erasmus also recommends physical activity. Says Erasmus:
"This is important for two reasons. First, it allows the body to burn off the adrenaline and cortisone produced by the body in reaction to life- threatening events. When these chemicals are present but not utilized for physical exertion they continue to create stress reactions in the body. Chronically high levels of these stress hormones are detrimental to health, especially to immune function. Second, physical activity brings awareness and concentration away from thoughts of helplessness and hopelessness, and away from the stressful images of trauma."
