Stress Management

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Finding and Maintaining Your Balance

Stress is the wear-and-tear on our bodies that we experience as we continually adjust to our changing environment both physically and emotionally. A positive influence can “stress” us in a good way by propelling us to action. It can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. Likewise, a negative influence can “stress” us with feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression.

Life’s journey and the events along the way such as such as marriage, death of a loved one, birth of a child, a job promotion, a new relationship, a move to a new city, divorce, or retirement are “stressors” that need to be managed.

Unrelieved stress often shows up in our lives as illness. If you are experiencing stress symptoms, such as irritability, sleep disturbance, depression, moodiness, memory problems, lack of concentration, substance abuse, feeling out of control, overreactions, etc. you have gone beyond your optimal stress levels.

Studies show that long-term activation of stress symptoms can have a hazardous effect on your body. When the signs of stress persist you are at risk for many health problems such as obesity, heart disease, depression, cancer, anorexia nervosa or malnutrition, ulcers, diabetes, sexual abuse, hyperthyroidism, hair loss, tooth and gum disease, etc. Stress inhibits the immune system making you more prone to colds, flu, fatigue and infections.
 
Try these strategies to reduce the negative effects of stress.

• Become aware of your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions.

• Recognize what you can change. Try to avoid or eliminate the things that you know cause you stress. Take a break or leave the premises.

• Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions. Try to temper your excess emotions. Put the situation in perspective. Do not labor on the negative aspects and the “what if’s”.

• Learn to moderate your physical reactions to stress. Slow deep breathing will bring your heart rate and respiration back to normal. Develop some routines for relaxation.

• Exercise regularly. Start engaging in regular physical exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes. Exercise gives you a sense of accomplishment and control…. it also releases mood-enhancing chemicals, like endorphins, the mind-body’s natural painkiller and mood calmer.

• Maintain your emotional reserves. Develop mutually supportive relationships. Pursue realistic goals that are meaningful to you. Always be kind and gentle to yourself.