Stress may be slowly killing you. It eats away at all of us bit by bit, day after day. It can make you appear older. It can cause fatigue… perhaps make you sick.

Even mild stress drains your energy. We all have internal batteries. The higher the stress level, the faster the battery runs out of power. If you’re wondering why you might be exhausted by late morning, stress is the culprit. It comes bit by bit until it gradually drains all your energy.

Stress may be impossible to eliminate from your life, but it can be reduced. The key is regular renewal. How do you renew yourself? Exercise, sleep, nutrition, reading, movies, friends? Figure out what renews you and schedule time for these activities without fail. Don’t let anything interfere with your renewal time or the penalty will be long-term loss of energy.

Renewal is critical. Surgical specialists who regularly experience it are happier and more successful.