STRESS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

Stress is the feeling we experience as individuals from time to time but it can be controlled. It is an unavoidable fact of life. There are different types of Stress. They include Short Term Stress which is normal; Long Term/Chronic Stress and Post Traumatic Stress which is hazardous to health. But remember that before you will be able to deal with Stress, you have to identify the sources of stress in your life; tackle it from the root and take control of your life. Sometimes the source is not obvious; it may be through feelings, behaviours, habits, excuses etc. When you are stressed, first of all identify the cause of the stress, find a ways of reducing or if possible avoid the stress and learn ways of relieving the stress.

What is Stress?

Stress is a feeling one has when faced with a situation that is more than one can handle or when the hormone in one’s body speed up thereby causing faster breathe and a burst in energy.

Causes of Stress

Life challenges, emotional problem, family issues, job or social issues, surroundings and health.

Types of Stress

• Short term Stress – involves instant response of your body/feeling to demanding situation. The body recovers quickly from such stress.
• Long term or Chronic involves a response of your body to a very difficult situation or events that last for a long time and this can be hazardous to health.
• Post traumatic Stress is caused by life threatening situation such as rape etc.

The effect of Stress on health

It affects immune system, muscle stretch, skin infection like eczema, acne etc; fast breathe, stomach upset, nausea, back pain, headache, stiff neck, dizziness, fatigue, frequent urination etc. It can affect one’s emotion through the feeling of nervousness, panic, anger, restlessness, lack of concentration on task, feeling of doom, frustration and cranky etc.

 

How do you manage or relieve stress?Manage your time

• Limit Alcohol intake
• Get a lot of rest
• Eat well
• Keep yourself busy to keep your thought from wandering about
• Discuss your concerns with someone
• Seek for help
• Let your feeling out instead of bottling it up
• Think of a better way that works
• Exercise regularly
• Do things you enjoy doing
• Forget the past and focus on the present
• Avoid the people that get you upset
• Take control of the events that go on in your life.
• Be willing to change
• Learn to forgive
• Do not try to control the uncontrollable

Things you must not do when you are stressed

• Getting drunk
• Withdrawal from friends and family members
• Physical violence or outburst of anger
• Procrastination
• Using drugs or pills
• Smoking
• Under eating or overeating
• Over sleeping
• Lazing around television or computer