Stress and your health

Since anci stress2 ent times, we’ve had a built-in technique for dealing with stress – we could stand and fight, or we could flee. In both cases our bodies underwent some radical changes to ensure the survival: raised heart rate, increase in oxygen, increased muscular tension, and hormonal changes. Work deadlines, family disagreements… Even though the dangers we face today are different, we still have the “fight or flight” response, and the same physiological changes occur.

Stress itself is not harmful. It is our inability to deal with our bodies’ responses to it can be. Those how can’t cope, and suffer prolonged stress, are said to suffer from burn-out. An upset stomach, insomnia, or a tension headache might come to mind when you think of “stress-related” health problems. But increasing scientific evidence indicates that stress can turn abstract worries into concrete threats to health, from depression to heart attacks, and even to life itself.

One of the ways to check your stress level is to rate your emotional responses. Check the following emotions. If you are experiencing over half of them constantly, then you need to take action.

Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Desperation
Frustration
Guilt
Helplessness
Irritation
Lonely
Panic
Rage
Self-consciousness
Trapped
Unloved

Any that you experience at a level of more than five out of ten, should be taken as indicative of high stress level.

Stress-relieving tips

Self-awareness:

Be aware of you body. Notice if stress or tension is building up in any area.
Be aware that sometimes you may experience more than one emotion at a time and sometimes these emotions may conflict.
Notice that your emotions affect your actions and that your actions affect other people’s emotions.

Communicate:

I you have trouble expressing how you feel, you’re allowed to rehearse when your are by yourself.
Be assertive. If you feel annoyed or undervalued by someone – tell them, they may not have realized.
When you need to get something off your chest, ask a friend to listen.
Remember to share when you’re feeling fine and happy too.

Express yourself:

Learn to let off steam without hurting anyone. Bash a pillow, smash some dishes, shout in an empty room or sing loudly.
Take a physical exercise just for the fun of it.
Take up something creative and allow yourself to be not very good at it.

Control:

It’s important to learn how to control your breathing, either trough breathing techniques or some form of meditation.
Concentrate on what’s positive around you.
You have control over situation. If they are causing your stress, then leave. If you choose to stay, then that’s your choice.

Complementary therapies: smile