Stress, anxiety, and depression affect your body as well as your mind. In fact, stress contributes to virtually all the leading causes of disability and death around the world today. For example, people with stress and depression are more likely to suffer from heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer than people who are calm and happy. When we don't reduce the amount of stress we have, we harm ourselves and can even endanger our lives.

The mind and body work together, so if your mind is stressed, the body suffers because it is affected by stress hormones like cortisol, which the adrenal glands release to prepare us for fight or flight. Cortisol gives us temporary strength, but when we are chronically stressed we become more vulnerable to disease. Moreover, too much cortisol impairs our memory and inhibits growth of new cells, including brain cells, causing us to age prematurely.

Stress-related diseases are exacerbated by the mistreatment of our bodies over many years. Alcohol and cigarettes are often used to cope with stress, which further damages our bodies, but thankfully some damage can be reversed once we stop depending on them.

Whether physical problems are related to stress or other causes, people often wait until their conditions become serious before seeking medical care. As a result, most doctors have become preoccupied with treatment of acute diseases and not with helping people stay healthy and happy. If we wait too long, we may end up with a chronic disease that cannot be cured. Fortunately, there is much we can do to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, so you need to know what health strategies are right for you. The first step is to get a thorough medical check-up. General practitioners and specialists can tell you about your overall health, such as how well your brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and hormonal systems are functioning.

By knowing your family history, past medical history, and current medical status, your doctor will be able to advise you on how frequently you should schedule check-ups, as well as screenings for cancer and other diseases. Additional preventive measures, including flu vaccinations, may also be important depending on your age, occupation, and travel plans.

Though its impact can be easily overlooked, stress also increases vulnerability to mouth infection and injury. For example, stress causes some people to grind their teeth, which can lead to dental and jaw bone damage. Regularly brushing your teeth and gums, along with professional cleanings and check-ups twice a year, can reduce dental problems.

Think about the changes you need to make for a healthier life, and ask your doctor for advice concerning diet, exercise, and sleep. Medical professionals will be able to help you develop a program tailored to your specific needs. People often have difficulty changing habits, so you may want to find someone who can provide you with guidance and encouragement. This can be a doctor or anyone knowledgeable about health in whom you can confide.