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Dear Janet:
Believe it or not, stress can be good for you: It can fuel you to the finish line when you're
running a race, it can make you study harder to get better grades, and it can yank you out of
harm's way when a car is speeding toward you in the middle of the street.
Being constantly overwhelmed by stress from anxiety, long hours, poor sleep and other causes
is a different story, though. In the long run, it really can catch up with you. Doctors say stress
is a key cause of almost every serious illness. Years of being totally frazzled out may cause
disease-fighting white blood cells to stop working properly. As these cells become less effective
at monitoring abnormal cell development and attacking invading organisms, some types of cancers can
result. Constant stress can also lead to heart disease because it slowly creates tiny cracks in
arteries, which then get filled in with cholesterol. Over time, this can block the flow of blood to
your heart, making you a prime candidate for a heart attack or stroke.
When you're so busy juggling school, sports or other activities, a quick fix like a good
night's sleep or weekend getaway can seem like a good way to cope. But coming up with a long-term
stress management program is even better. That way, you'll "vaccinate" yourself against the barrage
of stressors that'll be coming at you in the coming months. Preventive medicine like getting enough
sleep every night, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet are all habits that'll keep you
revved and ready to really enjoy life in the long run.
Signed,
Wendell
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