Everybody feels stressed from time to time, but what is stress? How does it affect your general health? And what can you do to deal with your stress?
What is Stress?
Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or danger. At the point when you sense a threat—whether it’s real or imagined—the body’s guards get going in a quick, programmed measure known as the “fight-or-flight” response or the “stress reaction.”
The stress response is the body’s method of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergencies, stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid a car accident.
Stress can also assist you to rise to meet challenges. It’s what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you’d rather be sitting in front of the TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships, and quality of life.
If you frequently find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, it’s time to take action to bring your nervous system back into balance. You can protect yourself—and improve how you think and feel—by learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of chronic stress and taking steps to reduce its unsafe impacts.
Signs and Symptoms of Stress Overload
The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress overload.
Physical Symptoms:
- Headaches.
- General aches and pains.
- Nausea, dizziness
- Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea, dizziness
- Frequent colds or flu
- Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.
- Increase in or loss of appetite.
- Muscle tension in neck, face, or shoulders.
- Problems sleeping.
- Racing heart.
Emotional Symptoms:
- Depression
- Anxiety and agitation
- Moodiness, irritability, or anger
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Frustration
- Loneliness and isolation
- Other mental or emotional health problems
Cognitive Symptoms:
- Memory problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Poor judgment
- Seeing only the negative
- Anxious
- Constant worrying
- Cold and sweaty palms.
- Tiredness, exhaustion.
- Trembling/shaking.
- Sexual difficulties.
Behavioral Symptoms:
- Eating more or less
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Nervousness and irritability
- Waves of anger and aggression more than usual
- Withdrawing from others
- Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
- Using alcohol, cigarettes, or substance to relax
- Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)
Who is Affected by Stress?
We all can most likely recognize at least some of the feelings described above and may have felt stressed and overwhelmed at some time or another. Some people seem to be more affected by stress than others. For some people, getting out of the door on time each morning can be a very stressful experience. Whereas others may be able to cope with a great deal of pressure.
Some groups of people might be bound to encounter unpleasant life occasions and circumstances than others. For instance, people living with high levels of debt, or financial insecurity are more likely to experience stress-related to money, individuals from minority ethnic gatherings or whose who are LGBT (lesbian, gay, swinger and transsexual) might be bound to encounter pressure because of bias, or discrimination, and individuals with previous or continuous medical issues might be bound to encounter pressure identified with their wellbeing, or stress because of shame related with their condition.
What Makes us Stressed?
Numerous things can prompt stress. The death of a friend or family member, divorce/separation, losing a job, and unexpected money problems are among the top ten causes of stress according to one recent survey. But not all life events are negative and even positive life changes, such as moving to a bigger house, gaining a job promotion or going on holiday can be sources of stress.
Tips for Reducing Stress
People can learn to manage stress and lead happier healthier lives. You may want to begin with the following tips:
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
- Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
related: How to Take Care of Yourself in a Noisy World
- Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Learn to manage your time more effectively.
- Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
- Make time for hobbies and interests.
- Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
- Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs, substance, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
- Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love.
- Seek treatment with a mental health professional trained in stress management at Kazmo Brain Center to learn more healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.
Remember:
It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it…… Therefore, don’t forget to rest from time to time and follow the previous steps to take care of yourself.
Kazmo Brain Center is a counseling center in Frisco, Texas specializing in mental health and will work with you toward a happier and more satisfying position. If you or your loved ones are facing stress and you think that you need help, Request an appointment at the Kazmo Brain Center and we are here to help.
Resources:
my.clevelandclinic.org
helpguide.org
