Stress remains one of the main causes of chronic diseases that continue to threaten lives. It can lead to high blood pressure that can cause strokes, it can cause sudden weight loss or even unexplained weight gain. It may also lead to a serious case of heart disease.
Modern day stress can be triggered by different factors, such as tension at home, demands in the workplace, the demise of a family member, even the breakdown of a relationship. If not managed properly, stress can easily take over a person’s life, causing him to lose control, or even go into fits of depression.
Learning how to manage stress is essential for a person’s peace of mind. Here are some of the things that you can do if you are having problems managing daily stress:
1. Find out what your most common stress factors are and try to avoid them.
If it is your busy schedule that causes you to feel stressed, then you should go through your activities and learn to prioritize. You should also learn to say “no” so that you do not over schedule or take on too many commitments. Avoid factors that can trigger stress, such as petty arguments, heavy traffic, and difficult co-workers.
2. Keep yourself healthy by eating nutritious foods and getting regular exercise.
A healthy body and mind are your best tools to fight stress. Eating nutritious foods, keeping your weight at manageable levels and exercising regularly can keep you looking good and feeling good about yourself. No matter how tight your schedule may be, find at least 30 minutes a day for a quick cardio exercise like brisk walking, jogging or a quick swim. These exercises will not only keep you healthy, but can also help you relax.
3. Get enough sleep.
When a person lacks sleep, his or her thought processes are affected. Some problems seem to be more complicated, because the mind can not think clearly and come up with solutions. It is important to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep everyday. If you have a very busy schedule, find the time to take power naps of 20-30 minutes during the day. This will help you recharge and will relieve you of the stress that may have built up during the day.
4. Find a good support group.
Surround yourself with a good support group of family and friends who have positive attitudes and whom you can depend on whenever you are going through very stressful situations. It helps a lot if you have someone who would listen to you and help you find solutions to issues that are causing the stress.
5. Relax.
You can relax your tensed muscles by taking deep breaths during the day. You may also try getting a massage that can soothe your stressed nerves. Even repeating some positive self talk to yourself can also help you relieve stress. This is done by repeating some positive affirmations such as, “I am strong enough to survive this difficult time in my life” several times during the day.
Stress is not really all that bad. In fact, when we experience stress, our adrenaline hormones shoot up, which make us more alert and allow us to be react fast in case of an emergency. However, if a person can no longer do his or her daily tasks because of stress, then something must be done about it.
There are also some medications for releasing tension due to stress. Do not take these medications without seeking professional help first. Self-medication may have some dire consequences, especially if you are already taking some other pills or substances for another health problem.
