Keeping your stress levels under control is much easier said than done. Because of our fast-paced careers, home lives, and relationships, we don't get to devote very much time to relaxing. For many people of this generation, it can be almost impossible to slow down. Stress, however, has a negative effect on health and can negatively hamper your weight loss efforts.

Chronic stress can cause a wide variety of health-related problems such as heart disease, obesity, premature mortality, ulcers, sexual dysfunction, hair loss, diabetes, increased blood pressure, migraines, and decreased immune system function.  It is very important to maintain a low level of stress in order to reduce the risk of developing any of the above medical problems. Stress also has a way of affecting your mental well-being too. People who are prone to career stress often have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

On a physical note, stress is directly related to the release of a chemical hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for storing adipose fat tissue on the abdomen. This type of fat is unhealthy and contains the highest risk of disease.

One of the most beneficial skills you can learn to make your life more relaxing and fulfilling is through the skill of stress management. Below are a few different ways that you can reduce stress in your life.

Yoga is a phenomenal way to become more self-aware and become in tune with your body while providing low impact flexibility training and deep breathing techniques. There is a reason why yoga is such a hot commodity right now – it helps ground people while allowing you to just let go of your problems and focus on your breathing.

Meditation is another way to bring about relaxation and stress relief.  The ability to empty your mind is a skill that one shouldn't take lightly. It gives you the power to relax tense muscles and allow all the day's problems to simply melt away. It also gives you an opportunity to practice proper breathing so that you can make the most out of a simple but essential task.

Simply taking a walk around the block can do wonders to restore your mental health. Exercising, even in this low impact way, releases endorphins that boost your mood and make you feel happy. Slip on your runners and get out in the sunshine for a stress-relieving power walk around the block.