Stress is one of those things that can be good for you or it can be bad for you. It is something that we all face. While a little can be beneficial, if you are coping with so much of it that it seems to be overwhelming you, then it becomes detrimental to you.
Stress can be defined as to how your body responds to any change that requires an adjustment in your response. A certain amount of stress can actually help us to be more alert and to avoid danger. It has been said that life itself is about ninety percent of how we react to a given situation and only about ten per cent of what actually happens to us.
This article will list some of the dangers that can accompany too much stress or in not doing a good job handling it. What may be easy for one person to face, another person might really be stressed when facing the same task. One person may consider it challenging to be faced with deadlines and needs deadlines to keep life interesting; another goes berserk!
Short-term or temporary stress could cause a fast heart beat, headaches, muscle stiffness, back pain, fast breathing, sweating and upset the digestive system. A stressed-out person may be cranky and have a hard time dealing with even small problems. A stressed-out person could be frustrated, more tired than they should be, have a difficult time focusing, and worry too much about little things.
A long period of time of not doing a good job handling stressful situations can produce more severe problems to a person's health. Some of these problems include: a weakened immune system, making one more susceptible to a host of immune-deficiency diseases and ailments, high blood pressure, abnormal heart beat, hardening of the arteries, coronary artery disease, heart attack and heart failure. In addition, experiencing stress overload for a long period of time can result in muscle pain, memory problems, poor judgment, worse breathing problems, anxiety, skin problems, loneliness, sexual dysfunction and even panic attacks.
So, it would seem to me that a wise person, a person who cares about their own health and their relationships with other people, would want to do everything they could change this negative situation that is such a drag to them. Fortunately, there are many, many things that can help a person deal with the negative side effects of a stressful life!
In this article, the solutions are basically divided into three different categories: relaxation techniques, foods, and vitamin-mineral supplements. While the relaxation techniques might not all be what you would think of as relaxing, they are relaxing in so far as removing the tension produced by too much stress!
* Meditation. Find a quiet place and communicate with God. For me, I love the outdoors and spend part of my meditation time either sitting or walking in the woods close to my house.
* Breathe deeply.
* Slow down. Focus on just one thing, not everything at once.
* Socialize. Talk to people.
* Put a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders for a few minutes.
* Laugh out loud.
* Listen to soothing music.
* Exercise. Walk, run, jog, yoga, stretching.
* Be thankful. You might even write in a journal the things that you appreciate.
* Tense and then relax each muscle group in the body.
* Aromatherapy, such as lavender.
* Get a pet, such as a dog.
* Get a hobby.
* Do volunteer work.
* Tea. Black, green, chamomille.
* Nuts and seeds
* Citrus fruit
* Sweet potatoes and carrots
Vitamins and Minerals to help relieve stress:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* B Vitamins. B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12
* Omega 3 fatty acids
Yes, there are many things to help a person who is stressed out. In my opinion, if there are some things you can actually eliminate from your life, then that is a definite plus. If all the various stressful things (like, sometimes, raising kids) must stay, then you just must make up your mind to handle it! Just do it! Do not worry, be happy … and healthy!