Job Strain Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attack

Studies show that work stress can lead to an increased risk of heart attack. Though the link was associative rather than causal, the researchers behind the data suggest that 3.4% of study subjects could have prevented a cardiovascular event if they had reduced their workload or practiced stress management techniques prior to the incident.

Levels of job strain among European men were analyzed over a 20 year period. Of the sample group (which included tens of thousands of men), 15% reported experiencing significant levels of daily stress related to work responsibilities. 

Though we cannot extrapolate beyond this initial research, one can imagine that American workers (who spend, on average, longer hours at the office and take fewer days off than their European counterparts) experience this effect even more strongly.

It can be difficult to find a moment to relax when work picks up, but it’s absolutely crucial to do so. Despite our type-A tendencies to power through obstacles and work around the clock, we actually put ourselves at a disadvantage when we try to do too much. Working under stress leads to decreased productivity, lowered morale, and a depressed immune system. You’re much more likely to get sick and compromise your efforts entirely (and those of your coworkers!) if you try to do too much, than if you take short breaks to clear your head and focus on specific tasks ahead.

Try some deep breathing exercises, a walk around the block, or a quick tabata session to blow off some steam at your desk. If your corporate culture is not conducive to exercise breaks, try closing your eyes and focusing inward for one full minute at your desk.

BluePrintCleanse: Day 3

It’s amazing what a difference a day makes! Yesterday I felt drugged, like I ought not to be operating heavy machinery, but today I feel... perfectly normal and alert and great.

My coworkers tell me I’m glowing but I’m dubious because I gave up wearing make-up (and lotion and deodorant, shhh don’t tell!) as part of my personal detoxification regimen. I figured I wasn’t exactly sure how these alleged toxins planned to escape my body so I didn’t want to impede them in any way by plugging up my pores.

Day 3 of the BluePrintCleanse was the best of the whole program. I’m not sure if that’s because I know it’s all over soon, or if I really do feel rejuvenated. I don’t feel hungry, I don’t have a headache, I went to the gym in the morning, AND the juice drinking seems like less of a burden. Green Juice after my workout felt way simpler than making eggs or oatmeal or my other, non-cleanse breakfasts.

Also, I’m down 5 lbs. This is unheard of for me. I assume this is mostly due to water weight but even so, I haven’t seen this number on my scale in months. My stomach also looks much flatter. I took “before pictures” which showed a little belly pooch but this morning when I woke up I had almost an entirely flat midsection. So, from a vanity perspective, the cleanse works…

Two major factors kept me going: 1. the cost of the cleanse (why waste $200 on juices you don’t drink?) and 2. accountability (the very public blogging each day forced me to complete the three-day detox cycle – even when I really wanted to cave). Both of these were crucial for my personal success. I would recommend anyone curious about cleansing to commit to it this way. Tell your friends/family/coworkers/etc what you’re about to do (let them call you crazy – it will inevitably happen) and it will be much harder for you to back out.

A few notable things: My lips didn’t feel chapped at all during the three days (even without my usual chap stick application) which makes me think I was perfectly hydrated throughout. My skin was clear, which is a good sign, but my circulation felt inadequate. My fingers got freezing and turned white after holding a cup filled with ice for just a few minutes.

Overall, I like how very black and white the cleanse is. I never worried “can I eat this?”, “should I eat that?” I just followed directions and drank juices. Not that complicated. Also, there was no prep required on my part (in terms of purchasing fruits and veggies or juicing things myself). I placed an order online and the cleanse arrived on my chosen delivery date. So simple. And now that I’m in the home stretch, I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. I can be kind of a Type B, occasional underachiever so the fact that I successfully stuck with this for 3 days is something of a personal triumph.