The relationship between stress and illness is complex, but there's studies show that two go hand in hand. A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that chronic stress has a significant effect on the immune system that ultimately manifest an illness.

Here are a few tips to follow to actively manage stress. Using these tools in moments we feel overwhelmed can help mitigate the harmful effects of our modern, stressful world.

Address the underlying causes. If you feel chronically stressed, anxious, or depressed and are not sure why, dig deeper. In addition to working with the right therapist, I recommend working with a Functional Medicine practitioner to determine if you’re struggling with nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, food sensitivities, and more. These imbalances can contribute to whole-body challenges.

Actively relax. This does not mean binge-watching TV. This means meditation, breath work, walking, spending time with your community, gardening, coloring, journaling, and more. Spend time actively relaxing daily, even if you only have 20 minutes.

Move your body daily. Exercise is a powerful, well-studied way to burn off stress chemicals and heal the mind, so just do it! It has been proven to be better than or equal to Prozac for treating depression. Try for 30 minutes of movement daily.

Take the right supplements. Take a multivitamin and nutrients to help balance the stress response, such as vitamin C; the B-complex vitamins, including B6 and B5 or pantothenic acid; zinc; and most important, magnesium, the relaxation mineral. Before you start supplementing, work with a doctor. You can also explore adaptogenic herbs (herbs that help you adapt and balance your response to stress) such as ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, cordyceps, which are included in our Bounce Beet, and ashwagandha.

Change Your Beliefs. Examine your beliefs, attitudes, and responses to common situations and consider reframing your point of view to reduce stress. Minimize your exposure to negative influences, gossip, and toxic news. Instead, focus on material that challenges you in a positive way and makes room for growth and expansion. Have you ever been scrolling through social media and found yourself feeling anxious and stressed? This is an example of negative inputs.

These are just a few ways to actively manage stress and improve your health. If you make time for these tools daily, you’re working toward a longer health span and lifespan.