Are you stressed? Studies on stress show that humans are not good at recognizing when they are stressed and when our normal coping mechanisms aren’t working.
Symptoms of Being Too Stressed
When people are stressed-out, they tend to experience:
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Confusion and forgetfulness
- Difficulty turning your brain off
- Drug abuse for relaxation
- Low energy level
- Exhaustion beyond the norm
- Impatience and irritability
- Indulging more in alcohol
- Lowered libido
- Mood swings
- More difficulty than usual getting up
- Tears bursting out unexpectedly
- Withdrawal from regular life
The more of the above symptoms you have, the greater the chances are that you are stressed.
If you want to take a test that gauges your stress level, The Canadian Mental Health Association has one on their website, What's Your Stress Index?
Sometimes stress can manifest itself physically. Tense shoulders, strained eyes, and a sore neck are just a few of the dozens of ways stress shows up. Your stomach churns, your heart pounds. You get sick more often. You get aches and pains from sitting for hours at a time, something man was never intended to do. Get up and get moving to cut down on the physical manifestations of stress. Never stop listening to your body.
How to Reduce Your Stress Level
Figure out what works best for you to reduce your stress level. Some common ways people de-stress include:
- Get some exercise
- Read for pleasure
- Take a bath
- Take a mini-vacation
- Get out into nature
- Hang out with friends
- Meditate
- Try relaxation techniques such as yoga
- Do your favourite hobby
- Listen to music that lifts your spirits
- Do something just for fun
- Take yourself or a loved one out to eat a nutritious meal
- Take an entire day off from your work responsibilities
The Canadian Mental Health Association offers suggestions on how to prevent stress. “Make decisions. Not making them causes worry and, therefore, stress. Avoid putting things off. Make a weekly schedule, including leisure activities as well as chores. Delegate. Get others to do tasks that they can handle so that you are not trying to do everything by yourself.”
Long-Term Effects of Stress
If you don't get control of the stress in your life, the long-term effects can be life-altering. While they differ from person to person, common effects include chronic headaches, weight loss or gain, sleeplessness, digestive problems, and serious physical manifestations - heart attacks, strokes, autoimmune diseases, and such. Chronic stress affects every system in your body.
Stress Management Strategies
The Mayo Clinic offers some ways to manage your stress:
- Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Fostering healthy friendships
- Having a sense of humor
- Seeking professional counselling when needed
Taking the time to reduce stress in your life will pay off with huge benefits.
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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