MANAGING STRESS

Stress is definitely the buzzword of our days and it has taken on many different meanings and uses. To some people, stress describes the frantic pace of every day life. To others, stress is what you feel during times of conflict, loss or illness. People react to stress differently, too. Some take it in their stride and seem to thrive on it, while others buckle under relatively mild pressure.

Stress is your body’s physical reaction to change, and it’s not always bad. It’s the so-called “fight-or-flight” response that has been with us since the earliest human times. The response comes to a change that the body perceives as a potential threat. Today’s stress, especially when caused by psychological or emotional factors, can be prolonged and can have damaging effects on your health.

People sometimes create unnecessary stress for themselves by worrying and fretting more than they should about things that are out of their control. While in some cases stress is caused by factors that are real, in other cases it is caused by factors that are only perceived as real.

Health Effects of Stress:

• Stress can cause sleep problems, leaving you feeling tired and vulnerable to accidents and illness
• Stress can cause anxiety, nervousness and irritability, making it difficult to get along with people
• Stress can affect your concentration, making your perform poorly at school or work
• Stress can cause weight gain or weight loss
• Stress seems to weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds and other diseases
• Stress can spur you to give up healthy habits, such as exercising and eating well
• Stress can be a contributing factor to many health related problems such as digestive problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches, arthritis and even menstrual disorders to name just a few
  

 

A Few Simple Techniques:

• Exercise: Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress
• Relaxation: Practice meditation, quiet reflection time, yoga, aromatherapy, guided imagery, or massage. Listen to your favorite soothing music, read a novel or take a warm bath
  
• Stress Diary: Become aware of stress-inducing occurrences by writing down events that were stressful to you. This can help you to adopt beneficial coping strategies in managing these stressors
• Organize and Prioritize: Be Realistic! Prioritize what you need to accomplish during your day and check off each item as you go. Time management is a key step to keeping tabs on stress levels
• Delegate! Learn to delegate chores and responsibilities at both home and work and learn to say “NO”
• Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption: Smoking might affect the ability of the coronary arteries to respond to stress. Alcohol disturbs regular sleep patterns and masks the cause of stress without eliminating it
• Sleep: It is hard to work efficiently when you are tired, and that, in itself, can be stressful
• Talk About It: Friends and family can provide you with support and guidance to help reduce stress and enhance well-being

 Learning to successfully manage stress begins with your willingness to take an honest look at yourself. Every day there are responsibilities, obligations, and pressures that change and challenge you. Learn how to identify stress in your life, and find helpful ways for reducing or controlling stress. Find the technique that works best for you