Dealing with the Physical Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
January 27, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Stress is responsible not just for mental symptoms such as anxiety, depression or sleeplessness, but a whole host of physical ailments and conditions that can develop into chronic conditions if not treated. The physical symptoms of stress and anxiety can be extremely uncomfortable, painful and even dangerous.Stress is primarily a physical reaction to situations that are perceived as dangerous. Our bodies are programmed for the ‘fight or flight’ response when faced with some threat, by producing adrenelin to give you a sudden burst of strength and energy - which is a very good thing if you come face to face with an angry bull, but not so good in many situations that cause stress in our modern world.
The ‘fight or flight’ response is purely intended to help you in immediate situations, and is not meant to be a long term solution. Unfortunately, in today’s world the things that cause stress tend to be ongoing situations such as debt worries or a demanding job. A raging bull seems almost preferable to many of the stressors of our daily lives.
Our bodies are not physically able to cope with this extended response. The constant release of chemicals and hormones that the body produces in the natural fight or flight response does us no good in the long run.
If your modern stressors continue for a long period of time it could cause major health problems. Long term stress is a serious matter and should not be ignored.
Symptoms that should not be ignored include:
- chest pains
- Palpitations
- Frequent indigestion
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Nausea and/or heartburn
- Constipation and/or diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
- Hair loss
- Frequent viral infections such as colds or flu
- Back and neck pain
- Menstrual problems or erectile disfunction
If you suffer from more than one of these conditions, then it is very important that you get medical advice before trying to treat yourself.
Dealing with the causes of your stress, and taking action to relieve feelings of stress will help to alleviate these conditions, but you should always make sure that you also receive any necessary medical treatment if there is a more serious physical condition.
You will help your body’s recovery and help to alleviate your stress by eating a healthy, well balanced diet, not skipping meals, getting daily exercise and cutting down on stimulants such as coffee and soda drinks. Make sure you get enough sleep and spend some time during each day relaxing or involved in some enjoyable activity such as a hobby.
The best way to deal with anxiety over a specific problem, is to deal with the problem. If the problem is out of your control (such as a relative’s illness) then make sure that you have a close friend or family member who you can talk to and share your feelings. If you feel stuck, it may help to talk things over with a professional counsellor or therapist.
Although you may not be always able to solve the problems that are causing stress, there is always something you can do to change the way you react to your problems. Try to put things in perspective by looking at the big picture. In other words, ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’. Take a break and get away from what’s worrying you - you may find it’s not as bad as you thought when you come back to it, and sometimes you may find the solution by getting some distance. Remember that the way you respond to stress is something that you can control, even if you cannot control the thing that’s causing it.
While it is important to treat the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety, it is equally important that you deal with the causes of your stress, and/or the way you respond to it.
Managing Stress in the Workplace
September 22, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Workplace stress is a very common problem and most people have experienced it at some point in their working lives. Studies and surveys have been carried out in America that show that a quarter of employees see their jobs as the top stressor in their lives, and workplace stress problems are a higher cause of health complaints than any other kind of stress. This article will show you how to manage stress in the workplace to prevent it becoming a problem that could threaten your job.
Workplace stress can be split into two categories: external stress and internal stress.
External stress is caused by things outside of yourself which may sometimes be beyond your control. Loud factory noise, continual interruptions by co-workers or too many complaining customers are all examples of external stressors. All too often employees think these things are too trivial or beyond their control, and therefore do not do anything about them. However, you should not ignore anything that is causing you stress.
Identifying the cause of your stress is the first step in your ability to handle it. Even if a problem cannot be completely resolved, talking with someone about it in a calm way can help to make some changes in your environment that will improve the situation.
Internal stressors are more to do with your own feelings and perceptions. These may be feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction, or simply that you feel you are not properly rewarded for the work you do.
Again, ignoring this problem is the worst thing you can do as it will only increase and lead to greater stress and even health problems.
Examine why you feel stressed and look at what needs to change in order for you to feel more satisfied, or look at what you could do to improve your confidence. What needs to change?
Once you have ascertained this, you might want to talk it over with your boss or a fellow worker, as long as they are understanding and supportive.
Much workplace stress occurs because we have lost sight of why we wanted the job in the first place, or what its purpose is. Redefining these goals can help you to alter your perspective, perhaps set new goals and so reduce your stress.
It is also important that your work does not encroach on the rest of your life. You need to focus on work when you need to, but to let it go when you walk through your front door. Make plans for your free time so your mind will be taken completely off your work. This is essential for your mental wellbeing.
Make sure that you take all your allocated breaks. Working through lunch time is never good for your health, and very often you will get just as much work done if you take that break and re-charge your batteries.
Finally, try and cut down on coffee and other caffeinated drinks such as cola. While you may think they are keeping you on the go, they actually create more stress and de-hydration - which causes more tiredness. Drink lots of water or fresh fruit juices to keep you hydrated. You will find that this will keep you more alert in the long run.
Managing stress in the workplace is a combination of analysis, taking action, changing focus and developing a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are unable to cut down your work hours, there is much you can do to resolve problems and make adjustments that will reduce stress levels and improve your work performance.
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Is Managing Stress Different To Treating Stress?
April 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
If we want to understand the differences between treating stress and managing stress it is necessary to look at the definition of each individually.
Stress management is an overall definition which includes a wide variety of techniques that are used to treat the physical and emotional effects of stress. Stress relief management is something that you can usually do on a daily basis and might include such things as eating correctly, exercising, positive thinking, taking deep breaths, and so on. These are all things you can do to help manage stress in your life.
Stress treatment usually refers to a specific therapy that helps to alleviate worry or emotional tension. This is usually done with the help of a professional, such as a therapist or doctor.
Stress itself can be divided into two types. Firstly, there is psychological stress which can cause worry, fear, anxiety and so on. Secondly, there is physical stress which can be caused by lack of sleep, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and other physical illnesses.
The type of stress you are suffering determines how you need to treat it. Physical stress can often be dealt with through a doctor and sometimes with medication.
Psychological stress may need more theraputic treatments, such as counselling, relaxation training or cognitive therapy techniques. Many people do not know how to relax and need to be taught how to do this to control the stress as their levels increase.
With cognitive therapy you are taught how to examine what is important to you and manage stress to help you focus on this.
As you can see, managing stress is different to treating stress, but you may need to combine both forms in your life through daily stress management as well as treatment via a therapist.
Manage Stress With These 6 Ideas
April 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you are reading this article you are probably hoping to find ways to manage stress in your life. It’s okay to admit that you get stressed out more often than you want to.
Here are six ideas to help you manage stress and improve the quality of your life.
1. Listen to music whenever possible. It is very relaxing to listen to your favorite music and today. With iPods you can quickly program your favorite songs and have them at your disposal whenever you feel a little stressed out.
2. With so much emphasis on dieting today many people do not keep adequately fed. An easy way to prevent this from happening to you is to eat snacks throughout the course of the day.
Simple sayings include fruit, vegetables, nuts, and quick things you can keep with you as you go about your daily activities.
3. Take a short walk whenever you can. This is not something that you have to change into workout clothes to do and can be done at almost any time and anywhere.
4. Do not take your work home! Having leisure time and relaxation time is important. Many people never get away from their work which adds to the stress in their life.
5. Try and keep a balance in your life. Things that are important include your family, your work, a spiritual life, and taking some recreation time to do things you enjoy.
6. Go on a date and see if you can improve your sex life. This is one way to manage stress by relaxing your body and your mind.
Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Stress
April 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Have you ever made the comment, “I am so stressed out”? If you haven’t you are in a very small minority! Stress can be caused by almost anything we’d been important to us!
In this brief article we will talk about easy ways to get rid of stress so you do not have to be stressed out anymore.
1. There is a saying that you should never sweat the small stuff. Very few of the things we get stressed out about are really that important.
2. Another important thing is that you eat right. One of the worst things to happen in the world today is fast food. Although many fast food restaurants offer healthy food we all fall in the trap of eating on the go and this can lead to even more stress.
3. Have you read a good book lately? Reading a book that you find enjoyable relaxes your mind and helps get rid of stress.
4. Keep active in every way possible. Exercise is an excellent way to release stress and something anyone can do.
Go out and take a short walk. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Park your car on the opposite end of the mall store you are going to.
5. Get a pet and pay attention to it. Pets will always be there for you if you are there for them. Having a pet that you love is extremely comforting and and easy way to relieve stress.
These are a few easy ways to get rid of stress in your life every day. There certainly are more things you can do but these five things have proven to be successful for people in the past.
Stress Relief Tips If You Are Stressed Out
April 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
At one time or another almost everyone suffers from stress to a certain degree. How you choose to deal with that can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life you lead. Here are a few stress relief tips!
One thing you certainly should do is find ways to control your stress before it gets out of hand. There are certain things that every one of us can do to help control stress on a daily basis.
For example one thing you can do is get out and exercise and be active. Did you know that even taking a 15 minute walk can have a tremendous effect on your mind and body?
This is something simple and does not require that you join a fitness club or work out of in the gym a regular basis. Regular exercise such as taking a walk can have a great impact on the stress in your life as well as preventing things such as disease.
Another simple thing you can do is relax and do deep breathing exercises. A simple way to do this is to breathe in and breathe out in a slow methodical method.
Everyone of us can easily take a deep slow breath and then slowly release it. If you will do this several times in a row you will be amazed at how much calmer you feel.
Another thing you can do is control the things you think about. One simple thing to remember is no one can make you mad, only you can make you mad! The flipside to this is no one can make you happy, only you can make you happy!
A simple exercise you can do is take notes on things that you find yourself thinking about our regular basis. Try to replace those with positive thoughts of things you have accomplished and feel good about.
You will find controlling your thoughts is a great way to practice stress relief.
