HealthyLife Articles

Category: Success Over Stress

Don’t Let Fomo Hold You Hostage

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Social media has many potential benefits. It can foster connection, share information, and build social networks. However, the WAY you use social media can determine if it has a good or bad influence on you.

If you feel that you are spending too much time on social media or that your time on social media leaves you feeling unhappy or anxious, this could be a sign that you are experiencing FOMO.

What is FOMO?

FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a common negative side effect of too much social media. FOMO occurs when you consciously or unconsciously worry things are happening on social media that you will miss if you are absent.

This fear of missing out can lead you to spend too much time on social media. You might check it frequently throughout the day and think about what might be happening when you are not present.

The problem with FOMO

The truth is, FOMO doesn’t make you feel good. It may create a state of anxiety where you are constantly distracted. You are always wondering what new information might be available on social media.

If you experience a compulsive need to check your social media accounts multiple times a day, it may interfere with other aspects of your life.

Other side effects may include:

* Trouble sleeping

* Emotional tension

* A decline in physical well-being

* Difficulty with emotional control

Ways to manage

Be honest with yourself. Pay close attention when you are tempted to reach for your device to log on and scroll. Ask yourself some questions:

* Why do I need to get on at this moment?

* How many times a day am I checking?

* What do I feel like when I engage on social media?

Set limits.It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of checking your social media accounts any time you have a free moment. Instead, plan specific times of the day to check in. Once in the morning and once in the evening might be enough to get the benefits social media can provide without letting it take over too much.

Turn off notifications.Once you set a limit on how often you check in, turn off social media’s power to trigger your FOMO. All the information will be there waiting when you do log in.

Choose one social media platform.As you re-evaluate your social media use, you may find you really aren’t missing out on much. In fact, narrowing down your social media to just one account could help you feel free and less worried about what you might miss.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Quick Ways To Cut Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Use these quick tips to lower stress levels, starting today.

Go for a walk.

Just 30 minutes a day of walking can lower stress.

Set priorities.

Decide what must get done today. The rest can wait. Say no to new tasks if you are overwhelmed.

Think positive.

Look at what you accomplished at the end of the day. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting everything done.

Try relaxation methods.

Mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi help many people with stress.

Source: National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Feel Happy Every Day

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Gratitude is a great stress-buster. When you focus on what you are thankful for, it becomes difficult to stay anxious or worried.

Even if what is happening at the moment is stressful, choosing to emphasize the positive can keep life in perspective.

A gratitude journal is one effective way to make thankfulness a daily habit. Intentionally making a note of what went well each day or reflecting on your many blessings is a powerful antidote to stress.

Tips for starting a gratitude journal

1. Decide the best medium for you. A dedicated journal to jot down a gratitude list might work well. For others, a digital list will be a better fit. It’s ok to try a few methods to find what works for you.

2. Pick a time of day to briefly reflect and add 3-5 items to your gratitude list. Try to stick to it. You want to make gratitude a daily habit, so consistency is important.

3. Keep it simple. You are more likely to be successful with this new habit if you keep your goal achievable. You don’t need to spend 20 minutes coming up with fifteen things you are thankful for each day. Less is often more.

4. Pause to enjoy how you feel when you cultivate gratitude. The more you practice, the easier it can become to hold onto that feeling and infuse your days with positivity and joy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Read The News Without Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Staying informed about current events can feel like all bad news. News media mainly highlight the challenges the world is facing. Hearing about all the negative things taking place can trigger stress and burnout.

Being informed on local and world news is important. But, you are not designed to carry the weight of the world.

Stay on top of recent events without stressing out

Read instead of watching

Videos and visual images can cause more stress than simply reading the facts.

Limit news sources

Choose one or two reputable sources for the news. Remember, the news posted on social media is often designed to rile you up and shouldn’t be your first source.

Focus on the positive

Like Mr. Roger’s mother said, look for the helpers. Yes, bad things happen, but good people rise to the occasion.

Take care of your health

Engaging in healthy habits makes you more resilient to stress. Get enough sleep, move your body, and eat a healthy diet.

Take a break

If you notice stress or preoccupation with the news rising, it’s a good idea to step away for a few days or a week or more.

Find support

If you are feeling overwhelmed by what’s happening in the world, get the help of a support group or licensed therapist.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Feng Shui And Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Your home should be a haven where you can find relief from stress. If it’s not, you could lower stress levels by making some simple changes in your home.

The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui focuses on how things are placed in the home. It is based on a belief that the way the home is set up can affect stress levels. One of the concepts is that Chi, or a life force, must flow freely in the home.

Different ways to use Feng Shui

Using these concepts may help you feel more at ease when you’re at home. Consider these tips:

*Clutter is out.You may already know that a cluttered space can cause stress. Some studies have even shown that clutter causes an increase in stress hormones. When possible, get rid of unused or unwanted things. Find places, like cupboards and closets, to neatly keep other things.

*Use a balance of colors.Feng Shui uses the five elements: fire, earth, water, metal and wood. You can use objects that represent all of these things in a room. Another option is to use colors that represent these things in your house. You might use a warm wood trim with cool, watery blue walls.

*Position mirrors correctly.Make sure your mirrors reflect things you want to see. For instance, a mirror that reflects a plant can bring beauty into the home. But if the mirror reflects a stack of dirty laundry or a cluttered desk, it could create stress.

*Use nature’s beauty.Spending time in a peaceful garden can be a great way to relieve stress. Some people enjoy pulling weeds or planting wildflowers. Make an outside space into a quiet retreat that you can use when you feel stressed. Incorporate your favorite colors, textures or smells.

Source: American Institute of Stress

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stress & Self-Harm

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

People deal with stress in different ways. But in some cases, stress may cause a person to harm themselves. Self-harm often shows up in the form of cutting. A person may cut themselves repeatedly with a razor blade or other sharp object. This often starts in the teenage years, but it can happen to people of all ages.

Why does it happen?

Even though cutting may hurt, it helps a person feel less stressed for a while. Teenagers may do it when they are feeling overwhelmed about school or their social life. Adults may do it when they are under pressure at work or at home.

Whatever the reason, cutting is a sign of emotional distress.

What to look for

It’s not always easy to tell if someone is using self-harm. Signs that a person may be cutting include:

* Multiple cuts on the skin, usually in one area of the arms, legs or torso

* Wearing long sleeves or long pants when it’s hot outside

* Having sharp objects like razors without an obvious reason

* Changes in behavior, such as being unpredictable or talking about feeling worthless

What to do

If you think your loved one or friend is cutting, offer your help and support. Don’t tell them to “just stop.”

In the case of your child, contact their doctor to ask for help. If it’s an adult, encourage them to find a therapist or to talk to their doctor.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Does Stress Lead To Cancer?

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Whether due to work, family or finances, most of us have felt stressed at some point in our lives. And to make matters worse, some studies have shown that stress can lead to depression, anxiety, or a weakened immune system. But can it cause cancer?

The National Cancer Institute says no. There is no evidence that stress alone can lead to cancer. But, habits such as smoking, drinking, and eating unhealthy foods may be linked to cancer. These are often done in response to high stress events.

Bottom line:cope with stress in healthy ways, such as exercising, deep breathing, meditation, and getting help from your doctor, if needed. Lowering your overall stress levels will help you feel your best emotionally and physically. And, don’t worry about whether the occasional stressful event may cause cancer. The experts say it won’t.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Meaning And Purpose Promote Brain Health

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Having a strong sense that your life has meaning and direction may make you less likely to develop areas of brain damage caused by blockages in blood flow as you age. This research is reported in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.

When a blockage interrupts blood flow in a vessel within the brain, a stroke can result or brain tissue can be damaged. As people age, this damaged tissue may contribute to dementia, movement problems, disability and death.

“Purpose in life differs for everyone and it is important to be thoughtful about what motivates you (such as volunteering, learning new things, or being part of the community) so you can engage in rewarding behaviors,” said the researchers at the Rush University Medical Center, Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Ways To Cope With People You Don’t Like -Especially When You Have To

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Can’t stand your in-laws? Work with someone you despise? People are often forced to deal with others they dislike either in a family- or work-related situation. A University of Missouri-Columbia communication professor looked at what people will do to distance themselves from those they dislike.

* Interact with the person only in a group setting.

* Avoid asking the other person questions.

* Treat the other person as eccentric in some way and merely tolerate his or her behavior.

* Fail to acknowledge the other person’s presence.

* Actively reject a person from a conversation.

* Avoid jokes and light-hearted conversation.

* Speed up interactions and get it over with as quickly as possible.

Successful work and social life depends on our ability to maintain relationships, even with people who dislike each other, said Jon Hess, whose study appears in Human Communication Research.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
10 Foods That Reduce Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

When life gets stressful, it’s natural to reach for “comfort foods” high in fat and calories. Macaroni and cheese, fried foods, and sugary desserts are often appealing when we feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, these foods are probably doing more harm than good. They can make you feel sluggish and cause a crash in blood sugar levels, which can make you feel exhausted and shaky. They also don’t provide you with nutrition you need to be at your best.

Instead of eating comfort foods, eat foods that can replenish vital nutrients in the body. This can help you feel more focused, calm and ready to tackle what life brings you.

*Green tea (Antioxidants):Green tea’s compounds can prevent cell damage, and a chemical called theanine helps you relax.

*Bananas (Potassium & minerals):B vitamins, magnesium, and other nutrients help reduce heart disease and can provide a calming effect.

*Spinach & broccoli (Magnesium & minerals):Green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables are rich in folate and magnesium, which help the brain release calming signals.

*Salmon (Choline & healthy fats):Choline is a special nutrient that helps with brain function. Its healthy omega-3 fats also keep you focused.

*Blueberries (Antioxidants):The vitamins in blueberries help your body fight off stress and boost your immune system.

*Almonds & nuts (Magnesium & healthy fats):The magnesium and healthy fats in nuts help the brain function better, and the zinc found in most nuts can calm your nerves.

*Chocolate (Magnesium):Dark chocolate in small amounts can help lower blood pressure and give you a feeling of happiness and calm.

*Oranges (Antioxidants and vitamin C):Vitamin C has been shown to reduce stress hormones and may lower blood pressure. Citrus fruits also contain healthy antioxidants.

*Milk & yogurt (Probiotics, vitamin D):The probiotics in yogurt can calm a stressed tummy, and the vitamin D in fortified dairy helps fight anxiety and depression.

*Avocados (Healthy fats and vitamins):The fat in avocado is heart-healthy and can help steady blood sugar levels. Vitamins B, C and E help the body cope with stress and anxiety.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026