Americans hold the title for working more hours than anyone in the world Work is a huge part of American culture and it’s how most people define themselves. The most common question adults ask each other when first meeting is, “What do you do?” This identification with work is having a major impact on our health and our economy.

For many people today, it’s normal to burn the candle at both ends. That’s why it’s so important that we consider the scientific research that clearly shows what a serious risk it is to allow stress to become a major part of our lives. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University, and Ronald Glaser, a professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State, presented compelling research showing how stress actually kills people. Their study focused on men and women who were taking care of spouses with dementia. The health of the caregivers was compared with people of similar ages not living under the stress of providing constant care.

Blood tests showed that a chemical secreted by fat cells, called Interleukin-6 (IL-6), sharply increased in the blood of the stressed caregivers, compared with blood of the others in the test. “This really makes a link to why chronic stress can actually kill people,” said Kiecolt-Glaser. She explained that people under stress tend to respond by doing things that can further increase their levels of IL-6. For example, they may smoke or overeat. Previous studies have associated IL-6 with several diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, type-2 diabetes and certain cancers.

The dangers of stress don’t at health risks, there’s a huge financial toll too. This data comes from the Centers for Disease Control

§   Job burnout experienced by 25% to 40% of U.S. workers is blamed on stress.

§   More than ever before, employee stress is being recognized as a major drain on corporate productivity and competitiveness.

Stress is taking a major toll on our health and our economy. So how can we stay productive AND stress-free? Many people have reported that relaxing in a floatation tank for an hour relieves stress better and faster than a massage, a nap, a round of golf, watching TV, or just about anything else. Floatation tanks are sometimes misunderstood thanks to bizarre portrayals, such as in the movie Altered States. However, decades of scientific research and 100,000s of satisfied customers worldwide attest to the fact that floatation tanks are worth taking a closer look at.

To learn more about the tool many people use as their “secret weapon” against stress, visit www.floatforhealth.net

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This report courtesy of The Sun:

PHILLIPS IDOWU has been banking on a flotation tank to sink his

Olympic rivals.

The Londoner spent last year battling a back injury and the floating treatment has paid off.

Triple-jumper Idowu, 29, now goes into the Beijing Games as the only British athlete ranked No1 in the world.

He leaped 17.58 metres at the Olympic trials last month as he warmed up for his attempt to follow in the footsteps of world-record holder Jonathan Edwards and win gold.

He said: Most days before I came out here I was in a flotation tank for about an hour.

"I started it last year and it really eases the pressure on my back. And it’s very relaxing."

This interview courtesy of BBC News:

What does it take to get to the top?

Phillips Idowu: I’ve got a really good team behind me. I’ve got a nutritionist, physiotherapists, doctors and a masseuse. I’ve got a new coach that I’m working with, so everything’s going really well. I’m using a flotation tank every week and it all seems to be coming together nicely. I’m happy and it’s just flowing.

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