Women who are worried, anxious, nervous, jealous and experiencing sleep problems, you have yet another reason to be stressed: Alzheimer’s disease. Since women tend to experience stress more intensely than men, get caught up in a negative loop and feel responsible for everyone’s happiness, they increase their odds of getting Alzheimer’s – especially if this cascade of emotions is happening from age 40 and on. Perhaps you have been taking care of your blood pressure, adhering to a Mediterranean diet and exercising to stay healthy, but what about your emotional well-being?

A new study from the Academy of Neurology (Oct. 2014) links the neurotic personality with Alzheimer’s. “Most Alzheimer’s research has been devoted to factors such as education, heart and blood risk factors, head trauma, family history and genetics,” said study author Lena Johannsson, PhD, of the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden. “Personality may influence the individual’s risk for dementia through its effect on behavior, lifestyle or reactions to stress.”

The link between stress and Alzheimer’s is not new because the medical community knows about the inflammatory response which stress unleashes. Inflammation damages cardiovascular health and so follows brain health. However, isn’t it time to address the heart of the matter: Stress?

It’s time to change your bad habits. Be aware that changing a habit depends on motivation. So, if you are afraid of losing your mind, this might inspire you to improve your behavior.

• Lower your emotional volatility because it simply isn’t worth the cascade of inflammation which is doing internal damage to your body. Be aware of your stress triggers and address them instead of ignoring or overriding them.
  
• If you are jealous, let jealousy spur you on to positive action, a stepping stone to achievement. Emulate the object of your envy instead of hoping that the person fails.
  
• Instead of worrying or getting into a repetitive pattern of reciting your woes, come up with concrete solutions. Do not let what you can’t do interfere what you can do.
  
• Don’t complain or use negative words to describe your situation. Words are powerful persuaders and will create your reality.
  
• Turn hysteria into hysterical. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Rewrite the daily script into a sit-com. Reducing stressors to absurdity works effectively.
  
• Tell your inner critic to shut up! You are good enough.
  
• Strive to become a healthy narcissist who believes that when she is happy, other people in her midst will be happy too. Assume that you deserve more out of life and go after it.

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For more information on managing your stress and reclaiming your life read my book, Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. To listen to archived radio shows with guest experts visit Turn On Your Inner Light Radio Show