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Children grow at different rates, both physically and cognitively. Some are born chatterboxes and others remain the strong and silent type until they suddenly speak in full sentences. The first three years of life are critical, for this is when a child’s brain is most receptive to speech and language development. Delays are like canaries in the coal mine, red flags for possible cognitive or learning disabilities.

Make sure your child is on track by checking out these age-related developmental milestones.

The First Year
Hearing is vital to developing early speech and language, thus many of the early milestones involve attention and focus. By his first birthday, your child should:

• Clearly hear you when spoken to, and turn in direction of sounds
• Recognize some words, like bottle
• Use simple gestures like waving and lifting arms to be picked up
• Use “nonsense” sounds (other than crying) to get attention
• Respond to simple requests like “wave to grandma” or “want more?”

The Second Year
During the second year, your child is developing the cognitive capacity to understand more complex language and vocalize it as well. By his or her twenty-fourth month, your child should:

• Be adding more words to his vocabulary every month
• Be able to vocalize harder consonant sounds, mostly at the beginning of words
• Point to familiar things that you specify, such as the family pet or a toy
• Listen to songs and rhyming patterns
• Put two words together as questions or descriptions, such as “Daddy hat” or “more cookie”
• Respond to simple questions and commands like “Kick the ball” or “Where is Grandma?”

The Third Year
Though your child has been cognitively developing language for two full years, this is generally the period he or she refines skills and uses them so that both speech and comprehension appear to blossom. By your child’s third birthday, he or she should be able to:

• Sit and be absorbed by a book for longer periods of time
• Understand the difference between simple opposites such as “up” and “down” and “in” and “out”
• Know a name for most things and ask if he doesn’t
• Follow simple two-part directions
• Be generally understandable, even though he may trip over words or stutter

If your child doesn’t seem to be reaching early developmental milestones, consider consulting an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can do wonders to put your child back on track.

Yes, stress is bad for you. Long-term stress can exacerbate headaches, heart disease, weight gain, anxiety, depression, and even cause some cognitive impairment. Doctors, psychiatrists, and friends are always telling you to take it easy . . . but how, exactly, do you do that when you’re so stressed that you feel like your mind is about to explode?

Check out these quick, in-the-moment 10-minute de-stress ideas.

Rock On
Music really does tame the savage beast. It doesn’t matter whether you pick classic hard rock, dubstep, or Mozart piano sonatas, so long as the music is something you love and has the power to influence your mood.

Get Moving
In the middle of the workday, you may not be able to take a jog in a nearby park. But there are other ways you can exercise, such as:

• Dance in your office for ten minutes (like nobody’s watching)
• Take a brisk walk around the block
• Do twenty push-ups and twenty jumping jacks
• Perform some yoga poses

Meditate

Regular meditation has been shown to have immediate as well as long-term effects on your mental and physical health. If you’re already in the habit of spending some mindful time during your day, then taking an extra meditation break can go a long way to lowering your cortisol levels.

Take A Deep Breath
Nothing will make you tense up more than having someone tell you to take a deep breath when you’re anxious, angry, or just worked up. Yet deep breathing techniques can help lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. The goal is to fill your body with oxygen as well as return your breathing to the easy, slower pace of when you are calm and relaxed.

Have A Healthy Snack
Eating shouldn’t be the first response to stress. But if you tend to lose your temper when you’re “hangry,” stopping to consider the fact can help you manage the stress before it arises.

Phone A Friend
Unburdening your woes to a trusted friend or family member can help, so long as that good friend knows how to listen emphatically and not escalate the situation.

Kiss And Tell
If you’re at your wit’s end and within walking distance of a loved one, take advantage of the contact. A quick hug and kiss can work wonders.

Go For A Laugh
Laughter is nature’s organic stress reliever. You may not be in the mood to watch that 10-minute internet video reel of newscasters dorking out on TV, but by the end of it, you’ll likely feel better.

Do Mindless Tasks
Cross-stitching, knitting, and Rubik’s Cubes occupy your hands and give your mind a repetitive task on which to concentrate. These kinds of tasks direct upsetting thoughts away, at least for the moment.

Buy A Stress Ball
Stress balls work in the same way exercise works. They’re subtle, can fit into your pocket, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

Stress is inevitable, but how you handle it can be modified. If you ever feel overwhelmed by the stresses of everyday life, contact a mental health professional. They can provide you with tips and techniques to better cope.

Americans spend billions of dollars a year and uncounted hours on dieting aids and nutrition efforts to get our bodies in peak health and condition. If only we spent a fraction of that considering our mental health, which is also strongly affected by the foods that we choose put into our body.

Make sure your brain is getting the vitamins and minerals it needs by checking out these 5 foods that promote mental health.

Whole Grains
Blood sugar spikes and troughs have long been shown to exacerbate a number of mental health issues, worsening the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD, among others. Unsteady blood sugar can also affect focus, concentration, and memory in everyday life.

A diet low in simple sugars and higher in complex carbohydrates helps mitigate the blood-sugar rollercoaster effect. Whole grains like oats, beans, whole wheat, wild rice, and soy are an integral part of such a diet. They provide carbohydrates that require more work for your digestive system to break down. Glucose is thus released slowly, helping you feel full longer while providing a steadier stream of fuel.

Fish
A human brain consists of about 60% fat, which may be why it craves healthy fats and oils. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids are involved in the biosynthesis of some neurotransmitters, notably serotonin and dopamine, which are key molecules responsible for mood. Since our cells cannot make these essential nutrients on their own, we depend on our diet to supply them.

Salmon, which is high in omega-3, has long been considered a brain food, but other fish such as mackerel, anchovies, and sardines also provide brain-boosting fatty acids. To a lesser extent, omega-3 can be found in walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds. If none of these appeal, do what your grandparents did and take a spoonful of cod liver oil every day.

Leafy Green Vegetables
Spinach, dark green lettuce, kale, and turnip greens provide lots of folic acid, one of the B vitamins. Broccoli provides an essential trace mineral, selenium, necessary for proper thyroid function. Deficiencies in B vitamins and selenium have been shown to exacerbate depression and sleep disorders.

Your mother was right: Eat your greens.

Foods Fortified With Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin, produced naturally in your body in reaction to UV rays. About 75% of American teens and adults don’t get the vitamin D they need, and the deficiency is over 90% for African-Americans. Vitamin D levels have been shown to have an effect in those suffering from Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) as well as depression.

Vitamin D is an oil-soluble vitamin, so it’s more common in fatty foods like fish, liver, cheese, and the yolks of eggs. It can also be found in fortified cereals and juices.

Lean Meats
A scientific study in Australia showed a striking correlation between the amount of red meat eaten and mental health. With all other factors taken into consideration, the women who ate less red meat were almost twice as likely to have a depressive or anxiety order.

Beef rules when it comes to providing essential minerals such as iron and zinc. These nutrients are found in higher levels in the brain than in any other part of the human body. Zinc deficiency has been linked to depression symptoms and ADHD, and iron deficiency has been linked to irritability, mood swings, and depressive symptoms.

Improving your diet is one vital aspect of mental health care. If you’re sure you’re getting the nutrients you need but are still experiencing difficulties, never hesitate to contact a trusted mental health professional.

The teenage years are a time of great physical and emotional upheaval. Awash in fluctuating hormones, teenagers struggle to understand the changes in their minds and bodies all while seeking their place in the greater community. It’s a rare family that doesn’t live without the drama of slammed doors, withdrawals, and mood swings. But for a percentage of these adolescents, many “typical” teenage behaviors may actually point to signs of mental health struggles.

Check out these 8 warning signs that your teenager may be suffering from more than just adolescence.

Changes In Sleeping Patterns
Because of the many physical changes that teenagers are going through, they need more sleep than adults. Also, because of their increasing responsibilities in high school, they tend to be sleep-deprived. Sleeping past noon on the weekends or spending half their vacation days in bed isn’t, in itself, unusual behavior for adolescents.

But you may have reasons for concern in these situations:

• If their normal sleep patterns change dramatically
• If it seems like they are sleeping all the time
• If they use fatigue as an excuse to avoid social situations or going to school
• If their energy levels have dropped for no discernible physical reason

Changes In Eating Patterns
Changes in eating patterns to the point of excessive weight gain or loss can be a sign that your adolescent is struggling with an eating disorder. In addition to sudden weight changes, keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Obsessive exercise
• Evidence of frequent vomiting, particularly after meals
• Irregular menstruation
• Dizziness, fainting, fatigue

Social Isolation
It’s natural for teenagers to withdraw from family life as they seek more independence and autonomy. But if an adolescent withdraws from both family and friends and shows a resistance to attending any social gathering, including school, he or she may be grappling with a larger problem.

A Slide In Academic Performance
Red flags fly whenever a child shows a sudden drop in academic performance. If inquiries into the classroom situation don’t reveal an organic reason, such as bullying, improper academic placement, or an underlying learning disability not previously diagnosed, consider other sources. Your teenager may be having difficulties concentrating, focusing, or remembering due to anxiety, depression, or another mental health difficulty.

Frequent, Diffuse Physical Ailments
The mind-body connection is strong. Anxiety, among other disorders, can cause very real physical symptoms. Anxiety over an upcoming test or project is natural, and learning how to deal with occasional bouts of stress is an important life lesson. However, consider seeking professional health for a child who suffers from any of the following symptoms on a chronic level:

• Headaches
• Nausea or stomachaches
• Backaches, shoulder stiffness, or other muscular aches

Melancholy
When a grandparent or a pet dies, sadness is natural and can last for a long period of time, returning and retreating as the process of grieving continues. But if your child seems chronically sad without an obvious trigger, cries excessively, or grief seems to be deepening rather than ebbing and flowing, these symptoms may be warnings of a more serious mental health issue.

Sudden Changes in Personal Hygiene
Your early adolescent, not quite yet cognizant of her changing body chemistry, may need a nudge or two to start showering regularly and using deodorant. But if she suddenly stops showering or changing clothes, or, alternatively, become obsessive about excessive cleanliness, there may be a problem beyond normal teenage behavior.

Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a problem in itself, but it’s also frequently a sign of an underlying mental health illness. It’s not uncommon for adults and adolescents with undiagnosed mental health issues to seek numbness or escape in alcohol or illegal drugs. Keep watch for thrill-seeking or extreme behavior. In these cases, it’s vital to see beyond addiction to treat the deeper issues as well.

If your teenager has been exhibiting any combination of the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a mental health professional. Early intervention can mean all the difference in getting your child the help he or she needs.

Everyone loves an extrovert, folks whose bubbly, talkative, outgoing personalities make them the bright center of any social gathering. But not everyone is born with the same temperament. Natural introverts, those who are reserved, comfortable with solitude, and not always at ease in public gatherings, often get a bad rap. As children, they’re frequently labeled as “shy.”

But there’s nothing wrong with being shy. Nor is it unusual to feel awkward in a new or chaotic social situation. With a little help, even the most reserved child can learn to successfully navigate a world full of extroverts.

Practice Politeness
Navigating everyday social situations does not come instinctively; it’s a collection of learned behaviors. If your reserved child isn’t picking up on the social cues, perhaps those cues need to be explained and demonstrated.

Consider practicing these scenarios with your child in the comfort of your home.

Play-act introducing your child to a new stuffed animal, focusing on appropriate responses and the importance of eye contact.
Using his toys, arrange a “meeting” between two characters who are “strangers” to one another, offering up icebreaker conversation starters.

Be a good listener to determine whether your child has any particular social concerns, like how to ask for something from an adult. (“Excuse me, Mrs. Smith, may I be excused?”, or “Excuse me, Mr. Jones, may I borrow a pencil?”) Knowing the language cues gives them one less thing to worry about.

Shift The Spotlight
“Say hello to Uncle Charlie” may seem like a simple request, but to a shy child clinging to a fistful of your pant leg, Uncle Charlie’s size and unfamiliarity can be daunting. If your child is put on the spot without warning, his anxiety level may surge and so will the instinct to withdraw.

Consider talking with the adult for a while before drawing attention to your shy child. If he or she sees how comfortable you are with someone who is a stranger to him, his anxiety may ease. He may also pick up parts of the conversation that will remind him of an earlier encounter. If your child and Uncle Charlie have a mutual interest, injecting that into the conversation may be a better icebreaker than asking a young, natural introvert to perform an awkward social ritual.

Shrink The Circle
Most natural introverts are active, engaging, and talkative once in the presence of people with whom they are comfortable, such as the immediate family and long-time friends.

Offering up lots of opportunities for your child to have one-on-one playdates is one way to ease him into confidence in social interactions overall. Larger gatherings are inevitable, but if a child has developed a few friendships among the crowd, he’ll have an oasis of comfort which he can expand, at his own rate.

Type-A personalities may chafe at having to “waste” one-third of the day sleeping, but studies have long proven that a good night’s sleep is necessary for optimal physical and mental health. Sleep improves focus, learning, and mood, as well as cardiovascular and immune-system functioning. Yet about one in three Americans will suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorder during their lifetime.

One natural remedy has proven to be nearly as effective as over-the-counter sleep aids: Exercise. Check out these five exercises to help you get a better night’s slumber.

Aerobic Exercise
Whether you bike, jog, swim or cycle, dedicating 150 minutes a week to vigorous aerobic exercise has been scientifically proven to show a 65% increase in quality of sleep. Physically active people sleep longer, more deeply, and don’t fall asleep over their lunch break.

The vigor of the activity matters. Regular but less vigorous exercise and strength training did show some sleep benefits, but not to the extent of activities that also improve cardiovascular conditioning.

Outdoor Exercise
Exposure to the sunlight during exercise has been shown to significantly improve sleep habits and quality. Thus outdoor activities like hiking, jogging, bicycling, etc. have an advantage over indoor gym-type aerobics when it comes to sleep quality.

Scientists speculate that the extended exposure to daylight may regulate sleep hormones for those that have lost touch with circadian rhythms.

Stretching Exercises
Yoga has been shown to lower stress levels and calm the mind, all of which promotes good slumber. Performing a series of yoga stretches right before bedtime can also ease body aches and tightness and help you fall asleep more quickly.

Breathing Exercises
How often have you gone to bed only to lie awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that happened during the day as well as everything you have to do tomorrow? Those hours you spend worrying are hours you should be sleeping. Training your mind to calm down requires exercise, too.

Many doctors recommend a series of breathing exercises before bed. Making these breathing exercises a nighttime routine can help you seize back all those hours lost to worry about your next project.

Relaxation Exercises
Mindful meditation, practiced twice a day, has been shown to improve sleep quality. It also helps to reduce daytime sleepiness and the assaults of everyday anxiety. With regular practice, you’ll be able to consciously shift your body out of stress mode into a relaxation mode conducive to better sleep.

Any exercise habit takes time and practice to take hold, but well worth the improvement to your health—and life.

Everyone has a bad night’s sleep now and then. A difficult day at work can make you toss and turn. Sleep apnea or a terrible cold can also affect the quality of your slumber. But if you have acute or chronic sleep issues that persist for at least a month and render you fatigued, sluggish, and unfocused, you may be one of the six percent of the population who suffer from “true” insomnia.

Before reaching for medication, consider cognitive behavioral therapy.

Health, Head, Heart
Before diving into any extended therapy, it’s important to check if there’s a health source for insomnia that can be quickly fixed. Many medications and physical conditions can be the cause of frequent waking, difficulty in falling asleep, and general restlessness at night.

Some of the physical and medical causes of insomnia may include:

• Sleep Apnea
• Asthma
• Heartburn
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Chronic Pain
• Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine
• Diabetes
• Frequent Urination

Some of the medications that can interfere with sleep patterns include:

• Diuretics
• Antihistamines
• Some medications for ADHD
• Some medications for depression or anxiety
• Some medications for hypothyroidism
• Some medications for high blood pressure
• Some corticosteroids

If you suspect any of these issues may be contributing to your sleep difficulties, contact your health care provider.

Retrain Your Brain
Cognitive behavior therapy is a talk therapy that promotes an increased awareness of your thinking and behavioral patterns. Through sessions with a mental health professional, you’ll learn how to recognize these patterns and be offered strategies and techniques that allow you to better respond to and modify them. CBT is one of the approved methods of therapy for insomnia as well as many other conditions.

When you start CBT, you’ll be asked to keep a sleep diary to monitor your sleep habits for a couple of weeks. The therapist will then recommend changes in diet, environment, and routines that may be inhibiting your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. The therapist will also teach you techniques to help calm your stress, anxiety, and racing mind, such as:

• Biofeedback
• Meditation
• Muscle Relaxation
• Deep Breathing
• Mental Imagery

CBT isn’t an instant cure to insomnia, but the therapy is empowering and will teach you tools that will help you long after the sessions are over.

Remember, insomnia can be a symptom of a serious underlying mental health condition, such as chronic anxiety and/or depression. If you don’t feel like yourself and sense that stress and anxiety are taking over your life, never hesitate to contact a mental health professional.

As a parent, you’ve noted the signs for a while. Maybe homework has become a daily battle. Perhaps he complains about school and seems overwhelmed. His teachers may have indicated a number of areas that need improvement, and you know his grades don’t represent his true potential. Any number of factors may be at the root cause of his struggles. The first step in diagnosis is psychoeducational testing.

For a child and a parent, psychoeducational testing may seem daunting. Consider these five steps to prepare your child for the big day.

Step One: Present The Positive
Psychoeducational testing, despite its intimidating name, is nothing more than a series of child-friendly tests, challenges, and puzzles used to assess attention span, verbal and perceptual skills, emotional functioning and other factors, including his or her ability to plan, organize, and see tasks through to the end. Taken as a whole, these tests can pinpoint possible learning disabilities and allow you and your child’s educators to set up a plan to maximize his potential.

To your child, frame the event as a positive. Tell him that he’ll be meeting someone who’ll help him figure out how he learns best, or how to make learning less frustrating for him. Let your child know a week or less before the first session (there may be several), so the event doesn’t loom and he or she has less time to worry about it.

Step Two: Schedule For Success
You know your child better than anyone. Choose the days and the time of day that your child is at his or her best. To avoid feelings of resentment, don’t schedule a session that interferes with her gymnastic class, field trip, any other well-loved activity. Also, don’t schedule a session late in the day or early in the morning if that’s when he’s most cranky and least amenable.

Step Three: Allay Fears
If your child becomes anxious in new situations, prepare her as best you can. Let her know that she can wear her favorite clothes or bring a well-loved toy or blanket with her. Let her know you’ll be in the waiting room during the session. Visit the facility ahead of time if you think that will help.

If she’s anxious about the testing itself, let her know that most kids enjoy it because it involves puzzles and drawing and some challenges, but no grades. She can take breaks and have snacks and go to the bathroom. Let her know that she just has to be herself.

Step Four: Sleep For Success
A good night’s sleep before the sessions will put your child in the clearest frame of mind. If your child is just getting over a cold or clearly coming down with one, fatigue can be a factor. In either case, consider rescheduling the appointment. The best assessments are made when the child is awake and alert.

Step Five: Fuel For The Fire
A hungry child is a distracted child. If your appointment is in the morning, make sure to fuel him up with a hearty, protein-filled breakfast. If in the afternoon, make sure he’s had a healthy lunch or a substantial snack before the session.

Psychoeducational testing is the first step in understanding a child’s mental processes and, in many cases, diagnosing an underlying disability that may allow for accommodations in both classroom and standardized testing. If your child is struggling in school, don’t hesitate to ask for a psychoeducational assessment. The sooner a learning disability is diagnosed, the sooner educational intervention can help your child get back on track.

When you slide into the driver’s seat after a long day on the job, it’s likely you’re still in “work mode” even if you had a good day. You’re thinking about long-term projects, mentally prioritizing tasks, and maybe even re-arguing the inevitable workplace conflicts. You may be making phone calls to tie up last-minute details while you’re on the highway. Facing bumper-to-bumper traffic doesn’t help your mood when you’ve already got so much on your mind.

How can anyone relax during the rush hour drive home?

Less Stress, More Sanity
Though commuters spend nearly an hour getting to and from their jobs, very few of them would call it a pleasant experience. The usual traffic congestion combined with the occasional road work, accidents, and bad weather make commuting an unpredictable and stressful grind.

Finding a way to relax on your commute isn’t just a question of calming down so that you’re not a growling bear when you walk into the office in the morning or into your home at night. Multiple studies have shown that driving to work more than 45 minutes a day can affect your health and happiness in a number of ways, including:

• An Increase In Weight
• Sleep Disturbances
• Elevated Stress Levels
• Shorter Life Span
• Increase Likelihood of Divorce

More Acceptance, Less Anger
Short of changing your commuting route or means of transportation–say, deciding to take a bus or train rather than drive, or vice-versa–there’s very little you can do about the frustrations of traffic, bad weather, or road blockages. Consciously accepting that you cannot control these factors can go a long way to reducing road-rage.

Managing your frustration is a process. You can help it along with these tips:

• Avoid Obsessively Checking Your Watch During The Commute
• Avoid Checking Your Speed And Odometer If You Drive
• Try Deep-Breathing Techniques When Frustrations Arise
• Build Extra Time Into Your Commute To Avoid Scheduling Worries
• Download Commuter Apps That Give You A Heads-Up On Traffic And Transportation Snafus So You Can Plan Accordingly
• Focus On Satisfying Ways To Fill Your Commuter Hours

Change Your Mindset, Change Your Mood
Many commuters feel that time spent on the road is wasted, unproductive time. You’re not checking off items on your to-do list, engaging in exercise, enjoying a passion, or spending quality time with your family and loved ones. Challenging this mindset is the first step to transforming your commuting experience.

Consider reframing your opinion of that “wasted” time. Think of it as a free period of the day when you are not under the demands of work or home. Even considering the limitations imposed by the need to drive or wait for public transportation, you can give yourself permission to enjoy those hours in any way you choose.

Consider these suggestions to fill the hours of your commute:

• Listen To Audiobooks To Read Classics Or Keep Up With Bestsellers
• Learn A New Language Using Apps On Your Phone
• Be Zen By Filling Your Car With Birdsong Or Meditation Tracks
• Call (Hands-Free) An Old Friend You’ve Fallen Out Of Touch With
• Listen To Your Favorite Talk Radio Show
• For Bus Or Train Commuters, Play Word Games, Puzzles, Or Social Games Like Words With Friends With Gusto And Without Guilt
• Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings, Take Stock Of Natural Beauty, Humor, Interest, To Share With Your Coworkers And Family

A twice-daily dose of commuter stress is never good for your health or happiness, but if stress and anxiety are seeping into all areas of your life, consider contacting a mental health professional whose mission is to offer up solid, practical ways to cope.

Stress is a natural, if unwelcome, part of a full and active life. No matter how well you balance the demands of work, health, and family, you will naturally experience the kind of difficult situations that engender emotional strain. In fact, over two-thirds of American adults report that they experience stress and anxiety on a daily basis, according to the Anxiety And Depression Association of America.

Since stress is inevitable, learning how to manage the condition is key. One important tool is vigorous physical exercise, like running.

Stress Symptoms
Unexpectedly bumping into your ex-spouse at a holiday party has the same physiological impact as if you just stumbled upon a hungry lion pride in the savannah.

In the short term, such an event can cause these reactions:

• The release of adrenaline and cortisol throughout your body
• A rise in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure
• A tightening of your muscles as they are flooded with oxygen
• A surge in your immune system response
• A sharpening of your senses as you go into “fight-or-flight” mode

Note that the “fight-or-flight” response involves physicality: Battling or running. In an evolutionary sense, one action or the other was necessary for survival.

Fight Or Flight
In the modern world, it’s impolite—even criminal—to throw a punch when faced with a contentious ex-spouse, or when you’re dealing with a co-worker who refuses to do his job. Nor is it always feasible to flee a stressful situation, such as when you’re presenting an annual report in front of your boss’s boss. Yet bottling up the natural urges has real physiological consequences because it extends your body’s response to stress and doesn’t give your system time to return to normal.

Embracing daily exercise like running allows your body the release that comes when you engage the “flight” response.

The Zen Of Running
Running as a form of regular exercise has many well-known physical benefits, including:

• Increasing muscle mass and staving off age-related atrophy
• Increasing bone density and staving off osteoporosis
• Better weight management
• Lowering blood pressure

What is less known is that running is also a powerful tool in anxiety reduction. Not only does running twenty minutes or more a day reset your body’s physiological systems to a much healthier state, but the exercise affects your mindset as well. The runners’ “high” involves the release of endorphins in the brain, those opioid-like “happy” chemicals that just make you feel good.

Managing stress is an important life skill and daily exercise is only one tool of many. If you find that chronic stress is affecting your life and your health despite your best efforts, never hesitate to contact a mental health professional.