Stress has been shown to increase the risk of many diseases. It doubles your chance of breast cancer. Get into birding, and reduce your stress levels!

Birding is very inexpensive. All you need is an outdoor area. There are birds in practically every corner of the globe, in every city park, in every country meadow. Keep notes on the birds you see, how they change from month to month. Learn what makes the birds different from each other, and what sorts of songs each bird sings.

Birding is very relaxing. Birds don't make any demands of you, and engage in all sorts of intersting behavior. Some birds are quiet and shy. Other birds are brash and bold. You can watch birds for hours and see something new each time. Birds can become your 'comfortable, old friends' who come back to visit you and who you come to recognize as individuals.

Birding can be an adventure. If you do have some spare money for trips, you can travel to any number of exotic locations to enjoy the birds and wildlife there. Classic destinations include Costa Rica and the Everglades, but every country has its hot spots for seeing new, intersting birds.

Birding can be done at all ages. Youngsters can be fascinated by the life cycle of the birds they see; senior citizens can put a feeding station on their window and have feathered friends brought to within an arm's reach. It's something that can be shared across generations and across the internet.

If you are feeling stress in your life, be sure to set aside time for relaxation! Studies in Sweden have found those who suffered stress were twice as likely to get breast cancer as those with calmer lives. People with stress tend to have lowered immune systems, leaving them open to a wide variety of colds and illnesses. Whether it's birding or another stress-reducing activity, it's important to your health to give your body time to relax and recuperate from life.