A new study suggests that everyday annoyances can lead to mental distress and mood disorders in the long term.
People who let day-to-day stress get on top of them may suffer from worse mental wellbeing in the long run, a new study has found.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine looked at data from two national surveys involving a total of 711 men and women, aged 25 to 74.
They discovered that people with negative emotional responses to daily stressful events - such as arguments with a partner, workplace conflicts and busy commutes - were more likely to experience psychological distress and mood disorders ten years down the line.
While major life events, such as the death of a loved one, are already known to affect long-term mental health outcomes, the latest study in the journal Psychological Science indicates that even minor emotional distress and everyday annoyances can have a cumulative effect on people's mental wellbeing.
Dr Susan Charles, professor of psychology and social behaviour at the University of California, Irvine, commented: "How we manage daily emotions matters to our overall mental health.
"We're so focused on long-term goals that we don't see the importance of regulating our emotions. Changing how you respond to stress and how you think about stressful situations is as important as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine."
Regular physical activity and a balanced diet are both known to be beneficial for those suffering from stress and anxiety, but stress management techniques are also important to help people deal with everyday problems and maintain a good emotional balance.
People may also benefit from using a food supplement to support their mood and emotional wellbeing, such as Klamath Blue Green Algae.
This is a wild, organic wholefood that grows without pesticides or artificial fertilisers and is cool-dried to concentrate its nutritional value by as much as 20 times.
A significant amount of research has been conducted into Klamath Blue Green Algae, much of which supports its use as a 'brain food' thanks to its high content of phenylethylamine (PEA), an endogenous amphetamine that acts as a natural mood modulator.
PEA increases our levels of natural endorphins that are produced during exercise, safely boosting our mood, reducing stress and anxiety, and helping to maintain overall emotional wellbeing.