Health Tips for Papua New Guineans : Part 4

​7. Reduce Stress -
Stress is a normal reaction to the demands of life and everyone experiences stress at some point in life, however long term stress can cause many complications on your health. If you are stressed often, it can put you at risk for heart disease, depression, and other problems. Stress that continues without relief can lead to headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, problems with sleeping or sex, depression, panic attacks, or other forms of anxiety and worry.
Manage stress with these tips:
- Ask yourself what you can do about the sources of your stress. Think through the pros and cons. Take action where you can.
- Keep a positive, realistic attitude. Accept that although you can't control certain things, you're in charge of how you respond.
- Stand up for yourself in a polite way. Share your feelings, opinions, or beliefs, instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
- Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or food to help against stress.
Tip: If you feel your stress in not manageable or has continued for some time, talk to your doctor.
8. Get Enough Sleep - 
Healthy sleep habits can make a big difference in your quality of life. Sleep is vital for healthy physical, mental and emotional processing. When we go without sleep or have insufficient sleep, our bodies struggle to perform to their full potential and, as a consequence, we can expect impairments to our next-day physical and mental performance. Humans, like all animals, need sleep, along with food, water, and oxygen, to survive. For humans, sleep is a vital indicator of overall health and well-being.
How much sleep do I need? Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of good quality sleep on a regular schedule each night.
TIP- If you often have trouble sleeping or if you don’t feel well rested after sleeping talk with your doctor.