Stress seems to be a normal part of life since the late part of the 20th century and it has even worsened in the 21st century. In a bid to get more money and live a more comfortable life, people work, work and work, forgetting that their bodies should be effectively managed in the process.
Stress can do a lot of things (negatively) to your body, one of which is to pave way for depression.
To know how to manage stress, you also have to know some of the symptoms that you’re being stressed. Some symptoms of stress include loss of concentration, dizziness, sleep problems, sexual problems, being irritable, headaches, loss of appetite, tiredness, feelings of exhaustion, weight loss or even weight gain, body pains, joint pains or muscle tension, loss of appetite and sweaty palms.
With stress, your immune system is weakened, paving way to all manner of diseases and infections — and you wouldn’t want that.
11 ways you can reduce the impact of stress:
1. EAT HEALTHY
When you are stressed, your cravings for junks increases and giving in to it would be unhealthy for you. Eat more healthy meals — fruits and vegetables would be useful additions.
2. SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE THAT MATTER
Stress has a way of wanting you to retrieve yourself from the people you love, sulk it all in and be unhappy — that’s stress talking to you, and if you give in, that’s depression coming in. Spend time when you can with friends and loved ones, do fun things; try to be happy — it would help a lot.
3. ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN’T BE PERFECT ALWAYS
Everyone wants to be right all the time, and when we make a mistake in life, career path, workplace, we feel dejected. That feeling is a terrible one which could lead to other negativities — accept your mistakes and live on.
4. LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE INTAKE
When you’re stressed, these two should be avoided as much as possible; they can aggravate your anxiety levels.
5. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Stress and negative attitude are a deadly combination — live a positive lifestyle, keep a positive mind.
6. GET ENOUGH REST
When stressed, sleep is a useful antidote. If you are stressed out, you don’t need to shy away from taking a rest.
7. EXERCISE
Good blood circulation plays a huge role in the health of a person. Exercise ensures proper blood circulation and that the blood transports oxygen and nutrients to the brain, skin, and other vital organs in the body. A lack of these would make the body prone to a lot of sicknesses.
8. HAVE A MASSAGE
A massage is also another important way to manage stress; just like exercise, it increases local circulation by stimulating blood flow in the soft tissue.
9. Manage your time wisely. Draw up a list of things that causes you to feel stressed, and manage how you put up with them.
10. Do fun things, do not let go of your hobbies and interest.
11. Take stress management classes if possible.
Have a stress free year.
S.O.Z