If your busy lifestyle seems overwhelming at times, consider stress reduction strategies. Reducing your stress level can help you manage your responsibilities while increasing your performance. For instance, take advantage of the benefits of chewing gum. In addition to reducing your stress, chewing gum also may improve your dental health.
Expend Energy
Chewing gum can help you expend pent-up energy stemming from stress, according to the Southwestern Medical Center. Expending energy simply by chewing can be more constructive than smoking or unnecessary eating. However, pay attention to how you chew your gum--individuals chewing gum under stress tend to chew more vigorously, which may lead to jaw muscle strain.
In addition to expending excess energy, chewing gum may help protect your teeth. "Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay," according to the American Dental Association.
Lower Cortisol
Individuals who chew gum have lower levels of cortisol in their saliva, according to a 2008 study lead by Dr. Andrew Scholey of Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, and reported by MedicalNewsToday.com. Cortisol is an adrenal hormone that is produced in greater volume during times of stress. The study, which was presented at the 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine found "levels of salivary cortisol (a physiological stress marker) in gum chewers were lower than those of non-gum chewers by 16 percent during mild stress and nearly 12 percent in moderate stress," according to MedicalNewsToday.com.
Increase Alertness
Participants who chewed gum experienced greater mental alertness, combating the overwhelmed sensation possible during times of stress, according to Scholey's study. In another context, researchers at the American Society of Nutrition's 2009 Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology concluded that chewing gum increased blood flow to the brain, which could improve cognitive performance during stressful situations such as high school math examinations.
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