Experts Say that Stress Reduction Can Cut Healthcare Costs and Promote Better Living

Dr. Vikram Gupta, offering general medical care for both adult and pediatricrnpatients in Northern NJ, says that stress reduction promotes improved health.

Online PR News � 16-August-2016 – According to Dr. Vikram Gupta, MD, of GMed Healthcare, PC (www.gmedhealthcare.com), a Northern New Jersey medical practice that offers family medicine for adult and pediatric patients, we live in an incredibly stressful world and this stress can take a toll on ones physical well-being.

Traffic snarls, a difficult economy, work issues, and the needs of a family all play a part in our stress level, Dr. Gupta says. Finding a way to de-stress is an important part of maintaining an individuals overall health.

Because stress can certainly be a source of major medical and health problems, Dr. Gupta says that relieving stress can do remarkable things for both the mind and the body. In fact, he notes that the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that stress produces a defensive state within the body.

While short term or infrequent episodes of stress may not pose a great risk, Dr. Gupta explains, prolonged or unresolved situations can result in increased wear and tear on the body and, ultimately, increase the risk of injury or the onset of disease.

According to Dr. Gupta, studies have been done determining a cause and effect between stress and a variety of illnesses. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related connections which are commonly seen in studies. However, the long term effects of stress, he says, are more difficult to equate.
Evidence is mounting that suggest that stress plays an important role in many chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders and psychological disorders; all of which require prolonged medical care, he said. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine recently reported that health care expenditures are nearly 50 percent greater for those who report high levels of stress.

This is why, Dr. Gupta explains, it is important to handle stress effectively. He offers the following suggestions to better cope with stressful conditions:

Join a health club or gym. To help with the cost, some major medical plans offer to pay for part or all of the membership expense for the insured individual.

If you are feeling stressed out at work, take a 3-minute vacation. If possible, close your eyes and do some deep breathing exercises at your desk. Walking (or running) up a flight of stairs will also help, or you can just do a brisk walk around the office. The idea is to take your mind off the stressful issue.

If you are feeling tense at home, try a warm bath or spray your favorite scent in the air and then sit for a few moments enjoying it.

Set some time aside on the weekend or late at night where you can focus on yourself and what you really need. A massage might bring some fresh perspective to your situation. Maybe you just need a good nights sleep where you can wake up late, even if it means taking a single day of vacation for the purpose.

If obligations are becoming burdensome, share your problem. Often, friends or family can offer a solution.

It is important to recognize the need for stress relief and that it does not have to take a lot of time, Dr. Gupta says. Mini-relaxations can help lower your stress levels, even if you only have a few minutes to spare.

Most importantly, he reminds patients that everyones stress is different and the causes of stress are just as varied. Thats why he says that it is important to have a personalized plan for dealing with your unique situation.

Dr. Gupta is a family medicine physician caring for adult and pediatric patients in Northern New Jersey at his Clifton office (246 Clifton Ave Suite 4, Clifton, NJ 07011) and his Maywood office (255 W Spring Valley Ave., Suite 102, Maywood, NJ 07607), St. Josephs Hospital in Paterson, Hackensack University Hospital, and various rehab centers in the area. Dr. Gupta, along with nurse practitioners, Rehana Rab and Vathveal Van, provides a continuity of care model in the hospital, in post-acute care, and in his New Jersey offices. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and is a member of the Board of New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the Ethics Committee and in Palliative Care Program at St. Josephs Hospital and a member of numerous other professional organizations. For more information call 973-928-2715 or visit www.gmedhealthcare.com.