Stress

Stress can affect so much more than your mental state of well-being. Several studies have been conducted that show that stress has a direct effect on your physical health as well. In fact, most of the time you can physically feel stress when it starts! Some common effects of stress include headache, stomach issues, unhealthy appetites, sleep issues, and even chest pain which can lead to larger cardiovascular issues. Letting go or eliminating stress can be hard but it certainly can be done with a proper plan of attack.

To start, it’s important to realize how stress comes about. Stress occurs when you feel overwhelmed or perhaps have more to handle than you are used to. It causes your body to react as though you are in danger and can cause immediate effects such as an increased heart rate, a rush of adrenaline, and can even give you an immediate burst of energy. For others, they may get “shaky”, start to perspire, or even feel that they may pass out. Everyone’s body will handle or react to stress differently. Regardless of how your body reacts, stress is not good for short term or even long term happiness and health.

There are many methods and tips out there promising to help you reduce stress. However, it’s important to remember that stress is handled differently by everyone. There is not one cure all that is a universal fit. It is important to try to figure out things on a personal level and come up with a plan of what could help you.

The first thing you should try is to determine where your stress is coming from. While some causes such as jobs or personal issues may be hard to eliminate, do your best to step away from the situation whenever possible. Is there something you can do to change your situation? Life changes can be tough but keep in mind that stress can be deadly and takes away from your overall quality of life. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help at work or home to help take some responsibilities off of yourself.

Try focusing on or spending time doing something you enjoy. Do you have a passion or a hobby? If there is something you truly love doing, start dedicating more time to that. Your mind, especially when clouded with stress, needs a break to think about other things or to relax. If you don’t have a relaxing activity that you enjoy, start experimenting or take a personality test to find a recommended hobby.

Take a vacation. A change of scenery or break from the hustle and bustle of life has been proven to be beneficial to both mental and physical health. Sometimes it is hard to break away for an extended period of time but even a weekend trip can help clear your head and give you a fresh outlook when you return to your normal routine. Check out coupon sites for low priced weekend getaways.

Take care of yourself. Eating right and getting plenty of sleep and exercise have a direct effect on every area of your life and health. If you are very busy and find yourself eating fast food a great deal, try prepacking lunches for the week or buying things that you can take with you that are healthy and easy to eat while on the go. Fast food is convenient but it is packed with a great deal of things that are unhealthy for you and is often times not even cooked properly. Do your best to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night as well. Try getting your family on a strict schedule to ensure you can be in bed on time and ready to get some rest. Schedules can also set structure to your life and eliminate a lot of surprise scenarios that can further lead to stress.

If you find that you are still struggling even after making lifestyle changes, it is best to go see your doctor. They will best be able to offer suggestions and can even look deeper into if there is anything that can be done medically to help. Don’t miss out on quality of life because of stress! There is no better time to tackle it than right now.