We are assaulted by stressors every day. The economy is uncertain, the world political scene is volatile, our cities are crime-ridden, and our homes are often fragmented. Are we simply to victimized by stress, to await in anxious anticipation the day that the "hose pops"? Or is there something we can do? Can we become more effective managers of the unavoidable stress that characterizes our lives, and reduce the inevitable deleterious impact of stress on our bodies?
Recognition is the first step in coping. We must learn to listen to our bodies and understand the meaning of body signals. A headache may be the initial warning of undue stress for one person, while another may experience abdominal pain and indigestion. To ignore or minimize these messages is unwise and can be dangerous.
Equally important is conscious acceptance of the possibility that our symptom or symptoms are stress-related. The young woman knew she was sick-she was frightened enough to go to the emergency room-but she was unable to accept the possibility that her illness was directly related to stress. recognize your symptoms and accept their relation to stress.
Now, just cool down. Yes, cool down! It may not be easy at first, but it's essential. Dr. Elliot's hot reactors are individuals distinguished by characteristics of hostility, impatience, and competitiveness-truly lethal combination. When you feel the tension begin to build, step back mentally, take a deep breath, think about something soothing, and allow yourself to relax a bit.
A balance diet, comprised of a wide variety of nutritious foods, helps prepare your body to cope with stress. Fressh fruits and vegetables, along with nuts, grains, legumes, and dairy products, provide all essential nutrients required for energy, growth, and body upkeep.
Aerobic exercise induces the production of biochemical substances within the body that help resolve the strain of stress. Thirty minutes of walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, enjoyed three to four times weekly, produces an invigorating "training effect", toning the muscles, strengthening the cardiovascular system, and calming the nerves.
Just an important as vigorous physical activity is adequate rest and sleep. The body's physiological "batteries" require the periodic recharging that takes place during sleep. Sleep disturbances may contribute to decompensation caused by stress and may likewise be among its first recognized symptoms. An occasional long holiday or vacation may be necessary to allow sufficient opportunity for needed rest.
Friends can be a big help when you are confronted by difficult or stressful circumstances. A listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, or a reassuring smile may be just what is needed to restore hope and provide incentive to face life's challenges productively.
Feelings, attitudes, and beliefs are increasingly recognized as major determinants of the state of health. It naturally follows that the ability to manage stress constructively depends on a healthy emotional state, a positive mental outlook, and a belief that life has transcendent meaning. Trust in God, accompanied by meditation, prayer, and worship, can provide relief from the anxieties and burdens of life when all other remedies and techniques prove inadequate.
Uncontrolled stress, with its progeny of illness and unhappiness, is a serious problem for many in today's world. But it can be managed effectively when it is recognized, accepted, and approached with the "good sense" application of proven techniques for successful coping.
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Conquering Stress
What is Stress?
Stress and the Body
Stress Management
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