No one is immune to stress however everyone copes with it differently, some people find stress helpful or even motivating, but for others it can effect every aspect of their life negatively. There are things that you can try to help relieve stress.
Symptoms of stress
Stress can effect how we feel, physically, mentally and also how we behave/react. We don't always recognise these changes due to stress.
Physically
Headaches/dizziness
muscle tension/pain
stomach problems
chest pain or racing heartbeat
sexual problems
Mentally
Difficulty concentrating
struggling to make decisions
feeling over whelmed
constantly worrying
being forgetful
Behavioural changes
Being irritable/snappy
Sleeping more/less
increased/decreased appetite
avoidance of places/people
Increased drinking/snacking
The first step to feeling better is to identify the cause.
Professor Cary Cooper, an Occupational Health Expert at the University of Lancaster says "In life, there's always a solution to a problem."
He then says "Not taking control of the situation and doing nothing will only make your problem worse."
He says the key to good stress management are building emotional strength, being in control of your situation, having good social network, and adopting a positive outlook.
Top 10 stress busters
Be Active - doesn't disappear stress , but helps clear our thought and reduce some emotion.
Take Control - Every problem has a solution, by taking control empowers us.
Connect With People - A saying that is true 'A problem shared is a problem halved.'
Me Time - Take time to relax and do activities you really enjoy.
Challenge Yourself - Helps build confidence, this helps you deal with stress.
Avoid Unhealthy Habits - Avoid crutches, they won't solve the problem.
Help others - Helping others is shown to build resilience.
Work Smarter, not harder - Prioritise work/jobs, concentrating on projects that'll make a difference.
Try to be positive - Always look for the positives and look for gratefulness, try a 'Glass half full instead of a glass half empty.'
Accept the things you can't change - If you can't control something move on and focus on what you can control.
Next time you are stressed try one or all of these strategies - remembering to breathe.
Resources
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