Following on from my article about how sugar free gum can help with anxiety I thought I would write more about how it can also reduce stress. Sugar free gum has many benefits, but there has been much research into part it can play in the reduction of stress.

Why It Matters?

Apparently, stress costs the UK economy £28 billion a year. So, it makes sense to look at methods and toolkits that can improve the situation. Chewing sugar free gum is very inexpensive compared with other coping methods for stress. For example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can cost between £60 to £100 a session. You can get a lot of sugar free gum for that.

Signs You Are Suffering With Stress

There can be physical signs that can impact your teeth like dry mouth or teeth grinding, if you are worried ask dentist Warrington for advice. They have the knowledge and skills to put your mind to rest when it comes to protecting your teeth.

Other physical signs could be headaches, chest pains, high blood pressure and panic attacks. You might notice you are more irritable and overwhelmed; your thoughts might race, and you could become withdrawn from your family and friends.

If you are stressed you might be eating the wrong foods which could lead to gum disease. You can discuss gum options with a dentist in Berkhamsted. This is especially important if you are making poor food choices. When I am stressed I am all about the chocolate and cake which is no good for my gums or teeth.

Stressful Jobs

It’s no coincidence that football managers chew gum, it can be very stressful watching the match. Especially for the most important games. They are constantly worried they could be sacked if the players do not perform as expected. Then there is the intense scrutiny by the fans.

All of that can have a big impact on their mental health. Fortunately, Scholey A, Haskell C, Robertson B, Kennedy D, Milne A, Wetherell M. found that chewing gum alleviates negative mood and reduces cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress. You relax more when cortisol is reduced in your body, so no wonder chewing gum was favoured by so many football managers.

Exams

My son had been sitting his GCSE’s. It is a stressful time for children across the country. Chewing gum can help with short term memory, so its easy to digest all those facts and figures ready for the exam. All of which makes the experience less stressful as one of the biggest worries is not being prepared. In future I will be stocking up with sugar free gum to give my children a helping hand. Especially as the Wrigley Science Institute found that final grades were better for those who chewed gum.

Improving Work Performance

Chewing sugar free gum has been proven to improve work performance. If you are meeting and exceeding your targets because your attention levels are renewed and your feeling focused. Plus, you feel less fatigued when in the workplace. It is understandable that your stress levels will also be reduced.

How Long Do You Chew For?

It is recommended you chew for more than 10 minutes to notice a reduction in stress. 15 minutes of chewing reduced cortisol levels much more than 5 minutes of chewing.

How Else Can You Relieve Stress?

As you can see from what you have read so far chewing sugar free gum can be a helpful tool to relieve stress. It is great because it is inexpensive and a safe and easy way to reduce stress.

You can also do other things such as being active, making sure you are well rested, connecting with friends and family and using deep breathing exercises.