Stress management is a broad spectrum of psychotherapies and techniques aimed at managing a person’s state of stress, most commonly for the benefit of reducing daily functioning and for the purpose of enhancing everyday living. The most important thing to remember about stress management is that it is not a one time event. Stress management, if done correctly and consistently will be with you for life. Therefore, the key to stress management is to understand its true nature and to accept that while you may react differently to different situations, your body, mind and spirit have an extremely complex relationship. Stressmanagement, therefore, involves the three components of understanding, adopting and practicing a proactive way of dealing with everyday demands.
There are many different ways that people choose to manage their stress. Some employ medication and some don’t; however, there are some proven methods that can be used by anyone who wishes to reduce or eliminate their stress. Stress management does not include any ‘quick fix’ techniques such as buying quick relief products such as those that contain ephedra or other dangerous stimulants that can actually cause serious side effects. It is important to note that stress can have both mental and physical symptoms. Therefore it is necessary to be aware of the difference between the two.
Physical symptoms that stress affects are headaches, lack of sleep, indigestion, muscle tension, heart palpitations, anxiety and many more. Stress may also have an effect on one person’s mood, attention span, self-esteem, memory and concentration levels and in many cases, this will be compounded by the effect that the other person is having on you. When we think or feel worried or tense, our body releases hormones such as Adrenalin, cortisol and others. When we think or feel stressed, the production of these hormones is heightened and can often lead to long term health problems.
One way of reducing the negative effects of chronic stress is to try and identify and reduce the causes of your stress. Identifying the cause of your stress may take time, but is an important step towards effectively managing and reducing your daily stress levels. This will allow you to develop effective ways of reducing and controlling your stress levels. As mentioned, stress management should not be considered as a ‘quick fix’ for those who are suffering from acute stress or high level of chronic stress. However, understanding the root causes of your stress can give you the ability to better control and deal with it.
The next tip to consider is to keep a stress journal. Writing in a daily or weekly stress journal can help you to see what causes you to become overwhelmed or stressed. You can then identify the stressor(s) and attempt to avoid these stressors. Your stress journal can be a great tool for identifying negative stressors.
It is also important to identify and learn to deal with your fight-or-flight response to stress. Many people are unaware that a ‘fight-or-flight’ response exists and is automatic during times of high stress. This fight-or-flight response can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and panic attacks. If you are able to control your fight-or-flight response, you will be better able to manage your stress and potentially prevent health problems from developing.
The third tip for stress management involves dealing with your emotions appropriately. Emotions are a great motivator and they can also cloud your judgment. If you let your emotions guide your actions, you might take actions based on what you believe will please you rather than taking into account the potential consequences. This can lead to poor decisions, which can lead to more stress. Therefore, it is important that you recognize your emotions and control them so you are not negatively impacted by the stressors in your life.
The final tip for stress management relates to physical activity. In today’s hectic world, many people do not take care of themselves physically. If you are trying to manage stress and are finding it difficult, you may find that you are unable to get enough physical exercise. However, if you can commit to a few thirty-minute walks every day, you will start to feel healthier and your body will begin to respond to stress in a positive way. You should also consider getting involved in some sort of sports or other physical activity so you can take care of yourself and release stress for more visit here
