How well do you manage stress?
In our daily lives, we’re frequently faced with stressful situations. Whether that be upcoming bills that need paying, booking a doctor’s appointment, preparing for a job interview, or worrying about a major life event.
Sometimes the stress these situations cause us is more detrimental to our health than the actual event itself. By allowing things to stress us out, we are putting our body under pressure which can be both physically and emotionally damaging. Not everyone shows stress in the same way, and not everyone deals with it in the same way either. But there are a few tips and tricks for controlling stress, and restoring a calm mind.
So, what is stress?
According to the World Health Organisation, stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Everyone experiences stress at some level, and how we respond is key to how it affects us. A little bit of stress is good, it helps motivate us so we can keep up with our daily routine and get on in life. But too much stress can be overwhelming and detrimental.
What are the signs of stress?
Stress can affect people physically and/or mentally, so it’s important to recognise symptoms for both. Physical symptoms include headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems, chest pain, fast heart rate and sexual problems. Mental symptoms include poor concentration, worrying, forgetfulness, feeling overwhelmed and indecisiveness. With these symptoms tends to come changes in a person’s behaviour, such as irritability, sleeping and/or eating too much or too little, avoidance behaviour, and drinking or smoking more.
How can we control stress?
By avoiding handling your stress, it will likely only get worse over time.
Therefore, it’s best to immediately identify the cause so these feeling don’t progress. Some effective ways to manage stress involve building a strong emotional strength, surrounding yourself with positivity and a good social network, prioritising yourself, doing things you enjoy, and being mindful of situations that may cause you to worry.
Here are 5 ways you can help to manage your stress:
Be active Exercising alone won’t get rid of your stress completely, but it’s certainly a good way to release any built-up emotion and worry. A lot of people tend to exercise to take their mind off a stressful situation, and this doesn’t have to be anything strenuous; exercise could involve walking, yoga, swimming, cycling, or any other form of exercise that you enjoy. Staying active is a good way to clear your mind so you can deal with your problems more calmly.
Take control When feeling stressed it’s so easy to catastrophize, but it’s important to take control of your emotions before they get the better of you. The feeling of having no control is a common emotion with those dealing with stress, and by managing this you will feel more empowered.
Connect with People Having a good support network is key when dealing with stress. Surrounding yourself with positivity and the people you love can really affect your emotions and your overall wellbeing. When you’re feeling stressed and in need advice, having people around you to talk to can really help!
Prioritise Yourself Many people struggle to put themselves first and prioritise their wellbeing before anything else, but it’s the most important thing we can do to manage our emotions. It’s crucial to take some time out of our busy lives to do something we enjoy, such as socialising, exercise or relaxation – anything that will allow you to unwind and reset. Try and set yourself some ‘me time’ a couple times a week; you’ll quickly notice the difference it makes!
Avoid any unhealthy habits When feeling worried or stressed, it is common for people to slip into unhealthy habits. This may include smoking, drinking, or even habits such as nail biting or teeth grinding. If this is something you’re likely to do, it’s useful to look for alternative ways to deal with your emotions so that you’re not risking your health. Goon a walk, listen to music, maybe give baking a try. By finding an alternative method to handle your stress, you’ll thank yourself for not falling back into bad habits.
Feeling stressed out or anxious?
Book in at The London House of Wellbeing Clinic for an appointment for 1-2-1 Consultation You will not only receive personalised nutritional advice/supplement, but medical support and advice as well.
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Libby Adler (@foodwithlib):
A food blog by an aspiring nutritionist, food product developer and marketer. Sharing fun, creative content on recipe development, restaurant reviews, cuisine critiquing and health and wellbeing.
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