Today many of the pressure of life demands can cause stress, particularly work, relationships and money problems. Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure which in turn can lead you feeling you are unable to cope. We all have different ways of reacting to stress. When you feel stressed, it can get in the way of sorting out these demands, or can even affect everything you do. Common signs of stress include sleeping problems, loss or increase of appetite and difficulty concentrating.
The Supposedly Helpful Crutch
People deal with stress by often drinking more, smoking more, acting unreasonably and losing their temper. However, drowning your frustration in alcohol, eating junk foods, self-medicating with drugs such as nicotine is not the answer. If anything they add to your problem. It is important to take positive action when faced with stress as, if experienced over a period of time; it can seriously impair your mental and physical health. You need to find coping strategies than can really help you reduce this effects of any stress in your life.
Six Stress Coping Strategies for Individuals
The following list is first steps to take that can really help you reduce the stress in your life.
- Be aware of your own warning signs of feeling run down. This maybe could be a sudden feeling of anxiety, extreme tiredness, feeling very tearful, catching every cough and cold.
- Review what is really causing you negative stress for you? You could be surprised! Think about what action you could perhaps take to change things. How much of your negative stress by you? For example, are you expectations of yourself and others realistic?
- Instead of using alcohol, not eating properly and smoking more as a crutch try eating a balanced diet, cut out sugar, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water and keep caffeine to the minimum.
- Do not feel guilty about including a period of relaxation every day. We all need to turn off from time to time. Do something you enjoy and fits into your life. This could, for example, be reading, listening to music, doing yoga or meditating, enjoying a warm bath. It does not have to take long or be considered time wasting. It is a vital part of life.
- Make sure exercise is part of your life. Exercise which is suitable for you. If you have any doubts as to the correct sort for you ask your Doctor.
- Do you often find yourself saying ‘yes’ when in fact you mean ‘no’? Are you always late for things? Learn how to be more assertive and manage your time properly. Many of us waste so much time, often making excuses for things we have not done
There are times when we all need the help and confidential support of other people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. It can be so useful. More useful ways of stress management can be found here.
Further reading
Davis, M (2012) The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook.