Study suggests one good reason to focus on the positive

Researchers discovered that when study participants were asked to ruminate on a stressful incident, their levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of tissue inflammation, rose. Thirty-four healthy young women participated in the project, with each woman asked to give a speech about her candidacy for a job to two interviewers in white laboratory coats, who listened with stone-faced expressions. Then half of the group was later asked to think about the experience, while the other half was asked to contemplate sailing ships and grocery store trips.

"More and more, chronic inflammation is being associated with various disorders and conditions," says Peggy Zoccola. "The immune system plays an important role in various cardiovascular disorders such as heart disease, as well as cancer, dementia and autoimmune diseases."

Results will be presented on Friday at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Miami, Florida.

This study adds to a mounting body of research confirming that stress takes a toll on your mental and physical health. But other new studies support fun ways to turn it around. A recent study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that tango dancing can lower levels of stress and anxiety.