 Stress
is your body's response to pressure, strain, and threats. It can
be pleasant and productive (falling in love or winning a contest)
or unpleasant and harmful. Some common sources of stress are major
life changes such as loss of a loved one or starting a new job,
illness, injury, fear, anger, pressure from yourself or others,
noise, and pollution.
Symptoms of Too Much Stress
headaches
tense muscles
irritability
quick or shallow breathing
loss of appetite
overeating
sleep and digestive disorders
always rushing
lack of motivation
inability to relax and enjoy yourself
Ways to Handle Stress in the Long Run
Exercise regularly and get as much sleep as you need.
Learn a relaxation technique like meditation, biofeedback, or deep
breathing.
Develop a hobby or activity you enjoy. Find a favorite place to
escape
(a cabin in the woods, a sandy beach, maybe just a room in your
house
where you can lock the door and not be disturbed). Schedule regular
times
for relaxation and fun. Find people to talk with about things that
bother you.
Reduce or eliminate the use of tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, sugar,
and salt.
When possible, try to eliminate the source of your stress or change
your attitude toward it.
Go easy on yourself. Try not to be too self-critical.
Diseases
Skin disorders
Alcoholism
Allergies
Asthma
Colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea
Enteritis
Gout
Headaches--tension, migrane
Heart disease
Stroke
Hypertension
Ulcers
Cancer
Nervous breakdown
Psychosis
Neurosis
Ways to Handle Stress Head On
Practice deep breathing in tight situations.
Close your eyes, relax, and visualize yourself in a pleasant situation.
Take a break, get a bit of exercise or some fresh air.
Ask yourself how important is the situation which is causing you
stress.
If someone has been rude to you, for example, does it really
matter? Can you decide not to let it bother you?
If the problem is important, confront it directly whenever possible,
especially if it is likely to recur.
If you can't confront the problem directly. talk it out with a sympathetic
listener.
Or write it out in a journal or in an angry letter that you will
throw away later.
Work off steam--take a fast walk, smash a pillow, lift weights,
find a place to yell or cry.
Do Something. Don't Let it Fester Inside
DON'T use alcohol or other things (they don't help), and don't worry
about how your stress level compares with others. |
