Happy New Year! It's that time of year again when most people find themselves making New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, getting a handle on the stress in our lives often takes a back seat when it comes to other more pressing resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking and saving for retirement. Nevertheless, stress is an important component in our lives, particularly when it comes to living an optimally healthy life.

It's a medical fact that emotional stress impacts health and well being. Doctors, psychologists and healthcare professionals often diagnose stress and anxiety as underlying causes of physical problems. Recent research now shows a link between emotions and the immune system. However, the emotional demands and stresses of everyday life can make it difficult to maintain a consistent, positive mental attitude.

Even if you do not feel that your life involves a significant amount of stress, consider how much the average American tries to fit into a weekly routine. The constant pressure and stress of having to keep up with day-to-day living without sufficient time to rest and recuperate can have cumulative effects on our physical, mental and emotional health.

For instance, most people have to juggle a number of pursuits, like work, school, running a household, and raising children (and keeping up with all of their activities!), not to mention religious and civic activities too. Others are coping with serious family issues as well, whether it's caring for elderly parents, working with a special needs child or balancing a blended family.

The bottom line is that no one can escape the anxiety and stress of living in our modern world.

Stress impacts our body on every level. The fight-or-flight response produced by constant stress forces our body to produce too much of certain hormones and not enough of others. It radically changes the chemistry of our blood, causing damage to certain molecules and tissues and weakening our immune system. This response to stress also causes higher levels of free radicals to circulate throughout our bodies, triggering inflammation.

Living in a constant state of stress takes its toll on our brain too. Over the long-term, stress has been linked to depression and anxiety and, in the short-term, to mental “fog” and memory problems. That's why it's so important to limit the stress in our lives so we can live a healthy life.

For a minute, sit back and think about feeling fulfilled, happy and positive… Not only do all those life-affirming feelings help you get the maximum potential out of your life, you have much more to give to your loved ones. Feels good, doesn't it?

Fortunately, there are many different natural remedies available that can help you better manage the many symptoms of stress -- grief, emotional turmoil, fear, sadness, anger, depression -- ultimately improving your health for the long-term.

With the New Year approaching, there is no better time than now to get a handle on your stress! To learn more about treating your emotions and stress without a drug that may do far more harm to your mind, body and pocketbook, I urge you to visit my website, www.StayHealthyandWell.comtoday.