Reducing The Stress in Your Life

Anxieties Site
Anxiety Self-Help
Living with Agoraphobia
NIMH
Panic Place
The Caregiver

HealthyPlace.com Radio
Anxiety Support Groups

Books on Anxiety
Conference Transcripts
Anxiety Videos
Diaries - Journals
Disorders Definitions
Mental Health News
Online Anxiety Tests
Psychiatric Medications
Resources
Site Map

Email
ICQ
Instant Messenger

Visit and Post

Abuse
ADD/ADHD
Addictions
Bipolar
Depression
Eating Disorders
OCD
Personality Disorders
Self-Injury

send this page to a friend

Reducing The Stress in Your Life

What is Stress?

Stress is the way that we respond to change in our lives. It is the way our bodies react physically, emotionally, cognitively, behaviorally to any change in the status quo. These changes do not have to be only negative things; positive change can also be stressful. Even imagined change can cause stress.

HealthyPlace.com Video

Job Stress: How to Keep Your Cool

Stress is highly individual. A situation that one person may find stressful may not bother another person. Stress occurs when something happens that we feel imposes a demand on us. When we perceive that we cannot cope or feel inadequate to meet the demand we begin to feel stress.

Stress is not all bad. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives because it is stimulating and motivating. It gives us the energy to try harder and keeps us alert. When we find ourselves in situations that challenge us too much we react with the ?fight or flight? stress response. Stress actually begins in our brains and it is expressed in our body. Once w perceive a stress our body sends our chemical messengers in the form of stress hormones to help our bodies handle the stress.

Chronic Stress

Stress hormones are important to help us meet the demands of stress occasionally but if they are repeatedly triggered disease will occur. Our body does signal us when we are we are experiencing the effects of chronic stress.

Physical Symptoms

Headaches
Tension
Fatigue
Insomnia
Muscle aches
Digestive upset
Restlessness
Appetite change
Alcohol, tobacco, drug use

Mental Symptoms

Forgetfulness
Low productivity
Confusion
Poor concentration
Lethargy
Negativity
Busy mind

Emotional Symptoms

Anxiety
Mood swings
Irritability
Depression
Worrying
Little Joy
Anger
Resentment
Impatience

Social Symptoms

Lashing out
Decrease sex drive
Lack of intimacy
Isolation
Intolerance
Loneliness
Decrease in social activities
Desire to run away

Spiritual Symptoms

Apathy
Loss of direction
Emptiness
Loss of life's meaning
Cynicism
Unforgiving
Feelings of martyrdom

Managing Stress

Being able to manage stress is important in order to live healthy, happy and productive lives.

Negative Coping

Ignoring the problem, Withdrawal, Procrastination, Alcohol/drug use, Smoking, Overeating, Inactivity, Over committed, Buying things.

Positive Coping

advertisement

Become aware of your reactions, Maintain a healthy balanced diet, Exercise regularly, Balance work and play, Practice relaxation techniques, Meditate Develop a support system, Pace yourself, Simplify your life.

Self-Care Techniques

Daily choices to care for oneself helps one?s feelings of worth, and increases a sense of well-being.

Deep slow diaphragmatic breathing
Listen to relaxation tapes
Avoid caffeine
Use positive affirmations
Do something you love
Allow extra time for projects
Leave work at the office
Do not ruminate over the past
Try to live in the present
Take brisk walks
Listen to your body's signals
Finish what you start

Reducing The Stress in Your Life

What is Stress?

HealthyPlace.com Video

Chronic Stress

Physical Symptoms

Mental Symptoms

Emotional Symptoms

Social Symptoms

Spiritual Symptoms

Managing Stress

Negative Coping

Positive Coping

Self-Care Techniques

Do less, enjoy more

RELATED LINKS AND INFO