Understanding Stress And How To Deal With It

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We all get stressed from time to time. It is something we get used to in our increasingly busy lifestyles, at work, and at home. For some of us, stress can be a good thing, toughening us up mentally in preparation for handling greater pressures. However, the majority of us allow stress to beat us, and the side effects can be damaging to our health.

Stress symptoms

There are many symptoms to stress, including the following:

• Feeling anxious in an everyday situation, such as waiting in a queue, or being in a crowded room.

• Feeling lethargic, and unmotivated to do the things you normally enjoy.

• Your skin breaks out in acne and eczema.

• Walking into a room to look for something and forgetting what it is you wanted.

• Your weight fluctuates, possibly because you start to comfort eat, or don’t eat at all.

• You have a reduced libido.

• You shed more hair than your cat.

• There are aches and pains all over your body.

Thankfully, the symptoms don't need to last forever,  but you will need to adjust your lifestyle to reduce the stress you are feeling.

Dealing with stress

There are some situations where you can’t completely rid yourself of stress, but you can reduce it.

These are some of the ways you can deal with stress in your life.

• Find the cause. Once you know what is making you unwell, you can begin to form a plan to deal with it. Whether it’s a person or a situation, find a way to confront the problem safely.

• Don’t succumb to stress by drinking alcohol or comfort eating unhealthy foods. You won’t feel any better for it, physically or mentally. Instead, consume a healthy diet to improve your overall mood.

• When your body displays symptoms of stress, do something about it. Here is how cupping works as a form of therapy, or consider booking a massage or time in the sauna.

• Go for a walk. Getting outside in the sun and fresh air will invigorate you, and while it won’t make your stress disappear, a little bit of exercise is good for your body and mind and might help you put your stress in perspective.

• Spend time with the people in your life who are unlikely to aggravate the stress you feel. For example, make time to be with friends, or devote more time to your family. The pure innocence of our children can always help us put our life in perspective.

• Speak to a counselor or a trusted friend about how you are feeling. Talking is a great stress reliever, allowing you to share your problem with somebody else, and preventing it from getting bottled up.

• Have some ‘me’ time. If your life is busy, and people are getting you down, it is fine to take the time out and have some time on your own. Do something you enjoy doing, such as watching a movie, reading a book, or spending time in your garden. It’s okay to be selfish occasionally and have time alone.