How To Manage Stress
Stress, in small doses isn’t necessarily harmful, it can help you stay motivated and perform better under pressure. However, too much stress can have detrimental effects on your health. Stress affects people in different ways.
It is well known that stress can trigger depression and can also have affects on your physical health. It is important to identify what is causing you stress in your life and try and minimise them. Many aspects of life can cause stress from moving house, marriage, starting a new job even going on holiday! Work deadlines are also a common cause of stress which can build up over time.
Stress Symptoms
It is still unknown what role stress plays in causing illnesses, however it’s clear that stress weakens the immune system and if you are put under constant stress the body can become exhausted. Stress symptoms can be broken down into mental and physical.
Mental symptoms of stress include the following:
1. Depression
2. Anger
3. Anxiety
4. Lack of appetite
5. Difficulty sleeping
6. Food cravings
7. Fatigue
8. Lack of concentration
Physical symptoms of stress:
1. Pain in the chest area
2. Constipation
3. Diarrhoea
4. Dizziness and fainting spells.
5. Breathlessness
6. Loss of libido
7. Feelings of restlessness
8. Muscular aches
9. Skin problems, such as eczema and acne
10. Nausea
If you have experienced any of these symptoms for a long period of time you can be at risk of developing a high blood pressure which can result in heart attacks and strokes.
It’s imperative to reduce stress levels in your life in order to reduce the affects stress has on your mental and physical health.
Stress Reduction
The secret behind reducing and managing your stress levels is to looking after yourself, take charge of your thoughts, emotions, work schedule and environment. Stress management is about taking a more methodical approach to life, making a conscious effort to avoid stressful situations and when you can’t, taking time out to rest and relax.
Here are some ways you can reduce stress:
1)Exercise –
Increases endorphin levels and reduces stress hormones such as cortisol. Exercising can also help take your mind of the problem causing you stress. Research has also suggested that exercise may be linked to lower physiological reactivity to stress.
2)Relaxation Time. –
Try to fit in rest and relaxation into your busy schedule. Taking time out from all responsibilities will help lower your stress levels.
3)Know your limits –
Don’t take on things which aren’t your responsibility or you know you can’t do. Don’t expect too much from yourself.
4)Talk –
A problem shared is a problem halved. Speak to your friends and family, sharing your worries can help. If you are suffering from work related stress speak to your superiors and explain the situation.
5)Avoid stressful situations –
If you know what causes you stress then avoid these situations where possible.
6)Healthy Eating –
Eating a well balanced diet will help you withstand times of extra stress and will keep your immune system in check.
7)Cut out caffeine –
Overloading on caffeine will contribute to a poor night’s sleep and will actually increase the physiological effects of stress.
