Do you ever feel like you are running around in circles just trying to keep up with life and its constant demands? Achieving balance can be challenging and we can often find ourselves juggling work, relationships, family, health and financial commitments overwhelming. This can lead to feelings of stress.
Stress can be described as a reaction your body has to changes or challenges in your life. It can be different for everyone and impact on your health and wellbeing if you experience symptoms for long periods of time.
Some symptoms might include:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Muscle tension
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty sleeping
- Chest pains
- Avoidance of people or places
- Poor self-confidence
- Racing thoughts
- Procrastination
Stress can be helpful in situations where there is danger or if we need to maintain motivation. For example, if you have an upcoming exam and need to stay alert to remember information. However, it stops being beneficial when your health, productivity and quality of life are compromised.
The following tips can assist in the management of stress so that you can live a healthy and more productive lifestyle:
- Identify where the stress is coming from. You might journal your thoughts and feelings to help with this.
- Move your body by engaging in some form of physical activity such as walking, dancing, running, riding or stretching.
- Connect with loved ones
- Practice mindfulness by engaging in an activity that involves your senses such as listening to music or petting your dog or cat.
- Practice relaxation strategies such as deep breathing exercises, meditation or yoga
- Maintain a balanced diet and reduce foods that are high in sugar
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine
If you or a loved one are feeling stressed, it is important to monitor the symptoms and talk to your doctor if they become unmanageable. Your doctor can help with determining if the symptoms are a result of a medical or mental health condition. They can recommend a suitable health practitioner who can provide you with additional tools to manage your symptoms.
More information can be found on our website.
Sources:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body
