Are You Stressed Out?
Stress affects each of us in one way or another. And though not all stress is bad for you, it is one of he biggest killers in the Western World. Text by Tracy Greenwood
Stress is your body’s reaction to anything that it perceives to be emotionally disturbing or threatening. Your heart rate increases and your blood pressure goes up, as well as your respiration and pulse rates. Stress can be divided into two categories – good stress and bad stress. Good stress helps you focus, making it easier for you to achieve your goals. Negative stress, on the other hand, can get so severe that people “burn out” as a result, and lose the ability to function normally.
Signs That You Are Stressed Out:
- A lack of happiness, enthusiasm and spontaneity
- Unusual intolerance of people and irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Difficult concentrating and the inability to make even minor decisions
- Increases use of substances such as alcohol and/or drugs ( including prescription drugs)
- Restlessness
- Loss of efficiency at work or school (yes, even children can become stressed)
- A preoccupation with negative thoughts
- Frequent illness and slow recovery
- Nightmares and persistent disturbing dreams
- Psychosomatic illness, such as an unexplained rash
- Withdrawal from friends and social situations
The Top 20 Stressors In Life:
- Death of a spouse
- Divorce
- Marital separation
- Jail term
- Death of a close family member
- Personal injury or illness
- Marriage
- Being fired from your job
- Marital reconciliation
- Retirement
- Change in health of a family member
- Pregnancy
- Sexual difficulties
- Arrival of a new family member
- Business adjustments
- Change in financial status
- Death of a close friend
- Change of line of work
- Change in number of arguments with spouse
- Mortgage or loan for a major purpose
What To Do To Relax
Control your stress levels by leaving enough time in your day for relaxing activities that make you feel better about your demanding job, uncontrollable children or relationship problems. Meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and stretching routines are all effective for relaxation. But give these a try too:
• Treat yourself to a massage, it relieves both the physical and emotional symptoms of stress.
• Play your favourite CD. Music relaxes and takes your mind off your perceived woes.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are feeling increasingly out of control and cannot manage your stress on your own, ask for help.
• Write down your troubles. A daily session of writing can be very therapeutic and give you perspective on your stress.
• Laugh. It’s one of the best medicines around and plays and important role in overall health. Try to see the funny side of life and laugh at the situations that vex you.
• Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Avoid breakfasts containing carbohydrates and loads of sugar. Bacon and eggs are out of the question – too much fat will leave you feeling bloated and sluggish. And avoid coffee and teas, as they will get your pulse racing and strip your body of the anti-stress mineral, magnesium. Choose instead peanut butter on whole-wheat toast with a glass of fresh orange juice, or oat porridge with milk and fresh fruit slices, or baked beans on whole-wheat toast, followed by a small bowl of stewed, dried fruit.
What Not To Do
• Cigarettes: Smoking increases stress levels. The chemicals inhaled when smoking act as stimulants causing an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and hormone levels.
• Caffeine: If consumed in large quantities, caffeine can lead to headaches, sleeplessness and stomach complaints, and it is addictive.
• Sugar: Forget about munching a chocolate bar to combat flagging energy levels. It will make you feel even more exhausted than before.
• Drugs and alcohol: Both dangerous, addictive substances that harm your body.
