You don't have to be a doctor to understand how stress impacts your health and well-being—or how it gets in the way of getting things done, whether at the office or home.

Slowing your heart rate, easing your breathing, lowering your blood pressure and body metabolism, and relaxing muscle [...]]]> You don't have to be a doctor to understand how stress impacts your health and well-being—or how it gets in the way of getting things done, whether at the office or home.

Slowing your heart rate, easing your breathing, lowering your blood pressure and body metabolism, and relaxing muscle groups will lower your stress. Follow each of the five steps listed below whenever you're stressed out, and you will be able to relax and get on with life's daily challenges:

• Determine exactly what's bothering you.
• Place your head down on a desk or table and close your eyes for 5 minutes. Then shake your hands and arms for 10 seconds.
• While aware of what's stressing you out, repeat to yourself "alert mind, calm body" for six seconds. Smile inwardly—don't wear a fearful or angry expression. Inhale slowly while counting to three, then exhale.
• Sit comfortably and concentrate on a single object or activity like breathing steadily, focusing on each breath you inhale and exhale, for five minutes. Acknowledge but don't analyze any thoughts that interrupt your focus on breathing.
• Relax your muscles by tensing up each muscle group for five seconds and concentrating on what this feels like. Breathe deeply and exhale while releasing all tension in each muscle group.

If you're really stressed out, these few minutes could be the best investment in your day and will make the kind of difference you need to keep up with the tasks ahead.

Your weight may increase your risk of death more than previously thought. A new study finds that being extremely obese or extremely underweight increases your risk of dying.

Being only slightly overweight eliminated much of that risk, say researchers, but don’t take that as an excuse to add extra [...]]]> Your weight may increase your risk of death more than previously thought. A new study finds that being extremely obese or extremely underweight increases your risk of dying.

Being only slightly overweight eliminated much of that risk, say researchers, but don’t take that as an excuse to add extra pounds.

"Our study only looked at mortality, not at quality of life, and there are many negative health consequences associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes," says Mark Kaplan, coauthor of the study and a professor of community health at Portland State University.

Doctor recommendation: Good health is more than your BMI number.

An important first step is working with your doctor to develop a diabetes action plan. If you don't have one, learn how [...]]]> If you have diabetes, you face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications such as eye, kidney, and nerve disease. The good news is it’s treatable.

An important first step is working with your doctor to develop a diabetes action plan. If you don't have one, learn how to select a physician.

Here’s what to expect  from the initial screening:

• a screening blood sugar test
• a blood test for A1c (glycohemoglobin)
• blood pressure check
• blood lipid levels (including cholesterol) and lab tests for kidney function
• an eye exam every 1 to 2 years
• a foot exam

Here’s what you’ll need to do down the road:

• Control your blood sugar.
• Eat well.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Measure your blood pressure at home, and take steps to control it.
• Quit smoking.
• Stay active.
• Control your cholesterol level and other lipids (fat) in your blood.
• Check your feet every day. Look for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, cracks, or extreme dryness.
• Wear a medical alert bracelet for emergencies.
• Have a sick-day plan.
• Get a flu shot.
• Travel safely.

But take heart, living well with diabetes is possible with help from your health care specialists and by taking charge.  Learn more about diabetes.

Calculating your body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to learn whether or not you're at a healthy weight for your height. Maintaining your weight within a healthy range will help you avoid serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Calculate your BMI.

Face it. Nobody wants to think about a heart attack. But the more you know about how to prevent it, the better off you’ll be … both physically and mentally. Find your risk of heart attack. Use our heart risk tool.

You’ll need the following information:

High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but is a major cause in the development of heart disease. The only way you’ll know if you have it is to measure it. The good news is … it’s treatable.

Our medical experts recommend these steps for high blood pressure: