Chronic stress is something that can affect us in ways we usually wouldn’t think about. You see our stress response system is something we have in order to protect us from danger.
When we are stressed it takes a serious toll on our lives. We spend all night tossing and turning and end up having to use caffeine to become more alert. We deal with slumps and have to find means to soothe ourselves. Stress can affect all of us and whether we notice it or not it can ruin our lives.
Stress can come when dealing with struggles at work or when coping with relationship difficulties, it is unavoidable. When it comes to getting our stress under control we have to first recognize our symptoms and acknowledge what is going on. Denying that there is a problem will only make things worse.
The symptoms of stress are as follows:
- Low Energy
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Tense muscles
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Frequent infections
- Overeating or undereating
- Irritability
- Anger
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
As you may have noticed these things are all big problems that can leave you miserable. When our body feels threatened we become stressed. It is a chemical reaction within our bodies that allows us to act in a way that is supposed to prevent injury. You know, the “fight or flight” response.
Stress, of course, means different things to different people, the small things that cause me stress might not bother you and vice versa. Not all stress is bad and we do need it in a sense. In small doses, stress helps us to accomplish things. When trying to cope with stress the following will help tremendously.
Create a keystone habit.
A keystone habit for those who do not know is a change that creates other changes all of which is good. It alters how you view yourself and brings up your self-esteem. For example, exercising in the mornings, this can benefit you throughout your day and help to reduce stress.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Don’t let anyone who brings you stress unnecessarily stay in your life. Only let people on who are supportive and are willing to help boost you up to where you need to be.
Breathe.
Yes, breathe, when you are stressing take a few steps back and breathe deeply. Take time to let yourself relax. If you happen to have time to meditate on things a few hours before bed could also benefit you when it comes to sleeping.
When you stumble, don’t be hard on yourself.
Sure, life is going to be in your way from time to time but when you fall down (you will fall down) be kind to yourself when picking yourself back up. Being kind to yourself is more motivating than being critical of yourself. You can change your world for the better if you change how you treat yourself. Put yourself and your needs first. Don’t dwell on mistakes, fix them and move on.
When it comes to stress, taking time for yourself and making sure you don’t overdo things can go a long way. In the end, it boils down to putting yourself first. If you are always stressing about other people and what they are doing or how they will react to things, then you will not be happy. Break projects into smaller pieces if you have to, spend time doing things you like to do and don’t let your sense of humor run away.
You can win the battle against stress if you really work at it. Take the time to watch the video below for more information on stress management. You can do this if you put your mind to it. Just because this battle is a tough one does not mean you cannot win.