Stress can be more than an inconvenience; it’s also a health risk. Stressful situations can leave us feeling tense, tight, and on edge; leading to or exacerbating numerous physical health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and headaches. But there’s good news – learning ways to manage your stress is possible!
Stressful situations can arise for any number of reasons, from work and family obligations to financial strain and health concerns. While you cannot completely prevent stress from entering your life, there are steps you can take to lessen its severity:
Take deep, slow breaths regularly throughout the day – particularly if you start feeling stressed or anxious – to help soothe the nervous system and switch off its fight or flight response. Aim to do this at least three or four times each day when feeling stress or anxiety rising in your body.
Exercise- Exercise has been proven to reduce stress and improve mood. Finding something you enjoy doing to stay active such as walking, playing a sport or dancing should keep you active for at least 20 minutes three times every week is recommended.
Eat a balanced diet – Incorporating nutritious food and nutrients into your daily diet is one effective way of combatting stress. For assistance on what to eat and when, speak to your healthcare provider or nutritionist.
Reach Out – Talking through your feelings can help you come up with strategies to overcome them, whether that means confiding in friends or visiting a therapist. While opening up can be hard at first, those that care will welcome being there and providing support.
Learn to identify what causes your anxiety – for instance, if public speaking makes you anxious, try practicing in front of friends first. Also consider your thought patterns: if they constantly focus on negative outcomes that could happen and become worry-inducing, this can heighten anxiety further.
Change Your Coping Behaviors – If you find yourself turning to food or alcohol to distract yourself from how you’re feeling, or spending too much time online and/or on your phone/computer as a means of relieving stress, it may be time for new techniques and coping strategies that may help strengthen you through difficult times. Attempting new ones takes time but will ultimately help you remain resilient during difficult situations.
Stress can be natural and manageable in moderation; however, when prolonged it becomes detrimental. If your anxiety becomes chronic and interferes with daily life, consult your healthcare provider – there may be psychological and medication solutions available that could be of assistance; just follow any directions given by them carefully – whether taking medications on schedule, attending therapy sessions regularly or any other treatments prescribed to you.
