These are just some of the symptoms related to stress and your body is screaming at you to slow it down. While there are some who thrive on stress to complete a major project at work (after all is said and done) they are left totally exhausted and wondering if the price paid is too high.

The body is a wonderful machine that instantly alerts you if there is a problem so please don't ignore the signs. If you ever find yourself in a stressful situation, walk away to clear your mind. Go for a walk around the block or play some music at home or in your car (but don't drive) because driving under stress has been the cause of many accidents due to road rage.

Those signs of being stressed-out are telling you that if you don't slow down you will demand the same toll on your body as if you were in a car accident. So slow down because your body will pay the price either through:

• elevated blood pressure leading to a stroke, or
• cardiovascular problems causing heart attacks

We live in a stressful environment these days, however, it doesn't mean we have to absorb the everyday stresses that are on the outer periphery of our minds. Here's something to remember...stress is the number one cause of serious illness and death, and unless and until we manage it properly our bodies may just give up trying.