Stress Busters
By: Chris Chenoweth
Stress is the way we respond to changes that occur during our normal balance of life. When we are experiencing stress our adrenal glands release adrenaline, a hormone that activates the defense mechanisms in our bodies. This can result in a pounding heart, a rise in blood pressure, and tense muscles.
Basically, anything that overwhelms us can cause us to experience stress. Common signs indicating you may be under stress are anxiety, chronic fatigue, crying, and a change in eating habits. The illness or death of a family member or the loss of a job are examples of situations that are stressful enough to cause physical or psychological symptoms.
Some people are more vulnerable to stress than others. For some, even ordinary daily decisions seem insurmountable. For these people, deciding what to have for dinner or what to buy at the store can be a seemingly monumental dilemma. At the other end of the spectrum are people who thrive under stress by becoming highly productive as they are being driven by pressure.
Research shows that women with children have higher levels of stress-related hormones in their blood than women without children. This means for women with children, it is very important to schedule time for yourself. You will be better able to help your children and meet the daily challenge of being a parent, if you can reduce your stress level.
Reducing stress also reduces your risk for heart disease, the number one killer of American women, and certain types of cancer. Many women who experience PMS and other menopausal symptoms reduce their symptoms dramatically once they decrease their stress level.
Untreated stress leads many people to depression, anxiety, headaches and a host of other complaints. This makes reduction of stress an important factor in improving your total health.
WAYS TO BEAT STRESS IN YOUR LIFE
*Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of protein, and low in fat.
*Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine that can increase anxiety. Often we reach for a cup of coffee to calm our nerves. Next time, try tea made with chamomile, valerian, or ginseng and CUT DOWN on the coffee.
*Avoid alcohol, which can mask symptoms and often make symptoms worse.
*Aerobic activity such as vigorous walking is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve overall quality of life. Walk or do whatever type of exercise you feel comfortable with.
*Join a health club. Go often and make it your special time. Do not concern yourself with your family while you are working out. This is your time.
*Go outdoors whenever possible. A little sunshine and activity can have an amazing effect on your entire outlook towards life. Your improved attitude will have a positive effect on everyone in your family.
*Aromatherapy can be a tremendous help for alleviating stress. Put five or six drops of lavender oil in a warm bath or put a few drops on a cloth and inhale from time to time during the day.
*Give yourself permission to be a kid again. What did you enjoy when you were a child? Draw, paint, dance, read, play music, whatever makes you feel better.
*Other ways to beat stress include deep breathing exercises, massage, guided imagery and a healthy sex life.
*Allow yourself the freedom to express yourself without worry that you are not keeping with the image of who you are ’supposed’ to be. As adults, we forget how to just relax and enjoy life.
*Do not set unrealistic for goals for yourself. Many of us set ourselves up for defeat simply by setting unrealistic goals. For example, if you are dieting, realize you cannot lose 40 pounds in one month.
*Whatever your goal is, allow sufficient time to reach your goals and realize occasional setbacks may occur. Do not expect anything. Expectations and reality are often two entirely different things.
*When you are facing an unpleasant circumstance, take a deep breath and count to ten before saying or doing anything. Taking a break produces a calming effect and allows you extra time to reassess the situation before acting on impulse.
*Learn it is okay to say ‘no’ occasionally. We often feel we have to say ‘yes’ to everyone. However, YOU CANNOT BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE. You must first meet your own needs before you can truly give others what they need. Make time for yourself, your number one priority.
Once your own needs are met, things that used to seem overwhelming will soon become trivial matters, causing you to wonder what the predicament was. Not only will you be less stressed, you will be healthier, happier, and more energetic, ready to face whatever obstacles come your way.
Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF MONEY, HOME, & HEALTH GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business.