Overall, 39 percent of U.S. adults reported their stress had increased over the past year, and 44 percent said their stress had increased over the past five years, according to the report, Stress in America, released by the American Psychological Association earlier this year.

April is Stress Awareness Month. Across the U.S., health care professionals will use this month to increase public awareness about causes and cures for the stress epidemic.

Sponsored by The Health Resource Network, a non-profit health education organization, Stress Awareness Month is a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.

Research studies have shown that massage therapy lowers cortisol levels, decreases feelings of depression, lowers blood pressure and boosts mood.

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