Stress comes in the form of emotional, or physical tension and is how the body reacts to challenges, or demands in life.  It can make you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.  Even though this could be seen as a negative, it could also be a positive by helping the person avoid danger, or meeting a deadline.

How do you know if you are dealing with stress?

Below are some of the physical symptoms related to stress:

  • Aches and pains
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Nausea, dizziness
  • Chest pain, rapid heart rate
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Frequent colds or flu

Strategies to reduce stress and anxiety

If you feel that you may have one of these physical symptoms, you could choose some of the options below to help reduce the stress.  However, it’s always best to consult with your physician as well.

  • Get your body moving
    • Exercise is one of the ways to possibly reduce your stress.
  • Take supplements
    • Some supplements may reduce stress and anxiety, but it’s best to consult with your physician about taking supplements.
  • Put some light on it
    • Aromatherapy, such as using essential oils and scented candles, may calm your mood.  Check with your local candle store to see what they recommend.
  • Hold off on the espresso
    • High doses of caffeine may increase your anxiety, so it’s probably best to regulate and see how much your body can tolerate.
  • Put your pen to work
    • It’s always good to record tasks that you need to complete, but also beneficial to take notes about things that make you happy.
  • Get some moral support
    • It doesn’t hurt to have a social support system to help you talk through stressful times and provide the support you made need.
  • Exercise your belly laugh
    • It doesn’t hurt to look for an escape and find some humor to possibly reduce your stress.
  • Sometimes you just have to say no
    • It doesn’t hurt to say no sometimes, so choose wisely to take control of your life and reduce stress.
  • Hold that pose
    • Yoga can increase body and breathe awareness and may help relieve stress.
  • Snuggle up
    • Cuddle, snuggle, kiss, or showing different ways of affection may help lower your stress level.
  • Listen to some tunes
    • Listening to music is a good way to relieve stress, because it may help lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones.
  • Deep breathing
    • Deep breathing gives you the ability to relax and slow your heart rate, which may put you in a peaceful mood.
  • Get a pet
    • Having a pet provides companionship and interacting with them helps you to release oxytocin, a brain chemical that puts you in a positive mood.

People might have to deal with stress and anxiety at some point in their life.  Therefore, it’s important to recognize when you are stressed, or have anxiety and determine what steps you should take to help manage them.  Also, you should consult with a healthcare professional to get the proper care.

 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay