Stress Management Important to Long-Term Health

People are often warned to exercise and watch their diet when it comes to living a long life and avoiding high health insurance costs.

However, sometimes it can be just as important to take time to relax and avoid the health consequences that can be brought on by excessive stress.

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, stress can lead to a variety of serious health issues, such as heart disease and palpitations, back pain, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Stress can cause depression, anxiety, insecurity and anger, warns, the clinic, while contributing to behavior like overeating, substance abuse, smoking and more.

To help fight stress, the Mayo Clinic recommends activities like exercise, yoga, tai chi and listening to music.

Stress is particularly high these days because of the economy and high unemployment, but people who are currently working can also be just as prone to it. A recent report by CNNMoney offered a list of jobs that offered a particularly heavy combination of low pay and high stress, including social workers, probation officers, news reporters and assisted living directors.