Stress' Effects By the Numbers

Released to coincide with Stress Awareness Month, April 2012, HEALTHeME has compiled data from the American Psychological Association Stress in America Report, Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index and Journal of Family Psychology, among other studies, with its own research, to produce new insights about stress management.

 

Multiple studies conclude that Americans are increasingly stressed. Research results compiled in time for Stress Awareness Month reveal that Technology may be the missing piece of the puzzle to turn around the stress epidemic.


More than 83% of Americans believe that stress strongly affects their health negatively, and nearly 40% report of eating unhealthy food to cope with stress, the data shows.

The obesity trend is particularly alarming. Americans today weigh 20 pounds more in 2011 than they did 10 years ago. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) more than one third of U.S. adults are now obese, with obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer as the leading causes of death.

Women are especially vulnerable to the stress epidemic. Five out of the ten women experience a significant increase in stress, and married women are 50% more likely to be highly stressed than single women, the data shows.

“As traditional methods to combat stress, such exercise and meditation, will continue to be important, Americans will need to increasingly rely on technology and smarter tools to be successful. One such tool is HEALTHeME, a service that combines predictive psychology and neuroscience to send personalized text messages that help combat stress and curb bad decisions,” says Sloan Rachmuth, co-founder of HEALTHeME.

With more than half of its users reporting that they feel less stressed from receiving customized text messages, HEALTHeME allows you to track key health signals such as stress, sleep, mood and blood pressure.

“In today’s ultra busy environment, people cannot afford to jeopardize their health by neglecting stress symptoms or early warning signals. Research clearly shows that a scientific and personalized approach to stress management, such as HEALTHeME, can help curb the stress epidemic that is plaguing our society today,” says Sloan Rachmuth

Sources

-American Psychological Association Stress in America Report

-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

-Carreercast.com

-Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

-Journal of Family Psychology

-Gym, Health & Fitness Clubs Market Research report 2011

Link Between Weight Loss Programs and Positive Mood

Weight Loss Makes You Happy!

Looks like people who participate in a structured program not only lose weight but they also report being in a better mood http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/07/us-weight-loss-people-idUSTRE7264TV20110307. A recent review of many studies (31 total) found that people improved their mood when they tried to lose weight with diet, exercise, counseling, or all of the above.

Researchers found that when people were involved in programs that focused on healthy behaviors (diet, exercise, water consumption), they lost weight and had improvements in their mood. However, there was no mood-boosting benefit for people who were just taking weight loss medications.  

"The amount of weight lost didn’t matter when it came to mood; even shedding a few pounds had a mood-boosting effect."

So, the good news for you: losing just a few pounds is likely to make you feel happier. And these results should also give you plenty of motivation to get moving! In fact, exercise alone has mood-boosting benefits and it only takes 10 minutes a day to see instant results! Exercise likely helps improve mood in several ways:

• Releasing endorphins that may promote relaxation
• Reducing brain chemicals that promote bad feelings or worsen your mood
• Making body temperature rise, which may energize your mood

For best results, combine daily exercise with a healthy diet. You won't just be healthier; you'll be happier too!

Water Consumption and Your Weight Loss

Water for weight loss.

Water makes up about two-thirds of your body weight.  Seems strange, but it's true.  Drinking water may also help you lose weight!  A recent study on drinking water for weight loss found that people who drank two 8-ounce glasses of water before a meal ate 75 to 90 fewer calories.  That is great news because drinking water can and cut 500 calories per day can lead to losing a pound a week!

Not only will drinking water before your meal help you feel full before you start eating, but drinking water will also help you avoid sugary beverages like soda and juice. Most people drink around 300 calories or more per day, making sodas and juices a huge contributor to our daily caloric intake.  Some experts estimate that people who drink two sodas per day gain one pound per week!

There are other benefits of drinking water that may help you with your weight loss goals.  People often report feeling tired, sluggish, and get headaches when they are dehydrated.  So, staying hydrated may help give you that extra boost you need to exercise.  Just remember: when you exercise, you sweat, and you need to replace those lost fluids with water! 

Most experts recommend drinking 6-9 eight-ounce glasses of  water daily.  Here are some practical tips to help increase your water intake:

• Drink water before and after every meal.
• Drink water before and during exercise.
• Fruits and vegetables like celery, tomatoes, oranges, and melons contain a lot of water and are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals!
• Drink sparkling water at holiday parties and social events.
• Carry a refillable water bottle with you – you will have a constant source of water and will be “green” too!