Dealing with the Physical Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
January 27, 2010 by admin
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.
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