How Can I Prevent Stress-Related Psychosomatic Illness? Is It In My Head?

Question: How Can I Prevent Stress-Related Psychosomatic Illness? Is It In My Head?

Answer: Stress-related illness is very common, as is the misconception that physical symptoms that occur due to stress are not serious, or not 'real' problems. ("It's just stress.") Pscyhosomatic illness originates with emotional stress or damaging thought patterns, but has physical symptoms that are real and can harm you as much as symptoms that originate from other means. (In fact, it's been estimated that over 90% of doctors visits are due to health problems influenced at least in part by stress, so psychosomatic illness is more common than people realize!)

Do you have a problem with stress and your health? The following resources explain more in depth the link between stress and health, and can let you know more about the major and mild psychosomatic illnesses that could affect you.

• Stress and Health: How Does Stress Affect Your Health?
• Stress and The Common Cold
• Stress-Related Conditions: What Are They?
• Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

To stay healthy, it's important to learn to deal with stress well and eliminate excessive stress from your life. The following resources should help you to create a healthy lifestyle that includes less stress and more wellbeing.

• Learn What Stress Relievers Would Work Best For You With The Stress Reliever Personality Test
• Follow The Stress Management Game Plan to Examine and Change the Stress in Your Life
• Choose and Maintain Healthy Habits with This 5-Step Plan
• Sign Up For The Free Weekly Newsletter, or Stress Management E Courses