Stress

What is stress?

Most of us do not need to read a dictionary to tell us the definition of stress; we just seem to know when we have reached that point of being over-stressed. Stress is an unavoidable occurrence in daily life. Most thoughts associated with the word stress are in the negative category. However, some stress can be advantageous to us. Some types of stress can be exhilarating, spur us on to be more productive, or cause us to focus and prioritize. These temporary incidences of stress are usually short lived and we can see positive results from it.

Negative stress is the type that can, and usually does, affect our physical and mental health in ways that are not beneficial. This is the type of stress that seems to have reached epidemic proportions, worldwide within the last decade.

Every individual has their own stress level. One event may cause great stress to one person and not affect the next person negatively at all. For instance, spotting a snake lying on the walkway in your very next step may cause you tremendous stress, but the next person that comes along may just step over it or around it and keep on their merry way. When stress begins to cause physical and/or mental health concerns or when you can no longer identify the reason for being stressed, it is time to look into some stress management techniques.

What causes stress?

Any major life change can cause individual's to become over stressed; chiefly those that pertain to personal relationships and finances. The causes of stress in a person's life are usually events that they have little or no control over such as; death of a spouse or loved one, illness or injury, loss of job, and divorce. Family history and genetics sometimes plays a role in our ability to cope with stress.

What are the physical effects of stress?

The physical effects of stress can be as simple as a short period of anxiousness or as serious as severe chest pain. Other effects can be, and are often a combination of, headaches, body aches, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and hyperventilation. Most of the time, these symptoms or effects are temporary. Once the source of the stress is eliminated, so are the symptoms. However, uncontrolled and continuous stress can interfere with your body's ability to heal itself and can lead to heart attack or death.

What are the mental effects of stress?

At the onset, when stress first launches its campaign to destroy you, the mental effects may seem mild and unobtrusive; short bouts of anxiousness or nervousness are common stress indicators. Confusion that leads to an inability to think clearly will lead to even more stress and compounds the problem. Leaving these underlying issues to themselves, can cause severe, irreparable damage to your mental state. when these symptoms escalate into consistent anxiousness, loss of sleep, and depression.

What are some natural ways to de-stress?

At the first sign of becoming over-stressed, you need to take action. This is certainly not an area of life that it is 'ok' to procrastinate. Below are some steps to take to begin the de-stressing process on your own.

Assess: Find out what is really stressing you out. Whether it is relationship issues, financial issues, or career issues, the first step is to identify the root of this bout of stress. Often you may find that there are many small stressors in one or all of the three life areas. Small stressors that come in groups can be as devastating as one large stressor.

Take responsibility: If there is something you can change to lighten the load of stress, then change. This is where you have to be very honest with yourself. In the relationship area sometimes we want to blame our worries on anyone and everyone else when, in truth, we have a lot to do with how the stress affects us. Modifying our own reaction to others' behavior can alleviate stress. Changing the way we react, will affect how others treat and react to us.

In the financial area; we can only do what our paycheck allows us to do. If bills are mounting and income will not cover them, decide on what you can live without, what is excess. Your physical and mental health may very well depend on you letting go of some of your pride. Living up to someone else's standards is not worth a heart attack.

Your career/job can also be a great source of stress. Meeting deadlines, attaining goals, and just facing the daily grind can increase stress levels dramatically. Take time off. That may not be something your boss wants to hear, or something that you have ever done before, but do it. Take an extra day off and just relax. That sounds ultra simple but for some, it may be very difficult. If you are one of those workaholics and cannot fathom a whole day off, then take small steps, go home an hour early one day. Removing yourself from the daily grind will give you an opportunity to look at your job; the deadlines and goals, with a whole new perspective.

Are there diet or dietary supplement helps for stress relief?

YES! Diet plays a part in our lives like nothing else. What we consume affects our physical and mental health and often our spiritual health. Fill your cabinets and refrigerator with healthy foods so that when you do feel the urge to 'stress eat' there will not be any junk food to cloud your judgment.

Consider adding these foods to your everyday diet: yogurt, bananas, sprouts (bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts) all contains the very necessary B vitamins needed to combat stress. Stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes when under stress. These are, for most people, the first thing they reach for. They are also the very things that deplete the B vitamins from your system.

Taking an herbal supplement, such as, St. John's Wart will help reduce stress and give you a mental boost. Do not take this supplement if you are already taking an anti-depressant.

Other ways to de-stress include:

• Take a hot bath. The hot water relaxes tense muscles.
• Take a walk. Physical exercise is a wonderful way to work out the stresses of the day.
• Get a massage. Massage therapy is good therapy. It offers relaxation and time for meditation.
• Meditate. You do not have to know some ancient mantras or be super spiritual. All you have to do is fix good thoughts in your mind and meditate on them.
• Warm milk. A warm cup of milk, sweetened with honey can be a great way to unwind and get you ready for a good night's sleep.

You may not be able to control everything that causes you stress in your life. But, doing what you can do goes a long way in keeping the stressors to a minimum and allowing you to live a fuller, happier life.

Enjoyed this article? You may also enjoy these:

• Numerology