Stress Management and Stress Relief:
Essentials for a Healthier Life
No one doubts that the world can be a stressful place. After all, with the state of the economy, few people can afford to slack off in any capacity, but just because you must remain focused upon your job doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy activities which will help you control your stress and enjoy life more. Stress management skills can be learned even if they don’t come naturally to you. Let’s take a moment and look at why controlling your stress is so important.
Why Bother With Managing Stress?
We already know that stress takes a toll on the body, and that there are many hidden ways in which it manifests. These concerns and benefits are possible results of stress:
Stress Responses
Digestive Problems
Sleep Disorders
Elevated Blood Pressure
Chest Pain
Anxiety
Depression
Skin Conditions
Worsened Diabetes and Asthma
Headaches
Benefits of Controlling Stress
Reduced Anxiety
Improved sleeping
Lower blood pressure
Potentially better fitness
Improved control over medical conditions
Increased happiness
Better Relationships
Improved Outlook
Increased resistance to Illness
Stress Relief Works: What Can You Do?
There are many things you can do to relieve your stress. Whether it is taking a yoga class, getting together with friends regularly, meditating, joining a laugh therapy group or taking up a hobby, studies show consistently that paying attention to your levels of stress and actually managing them helps to keep you healthy, longer. However, you don’t have to attend weekly meetings to get things started.
People often underestimate the power of positive thinking, positive words and even laughter. Before you even get out of bed in the morning, you want to set your attitude for the day. If you start your day with a positive affirmation, then the rest of the day will go better. Does that guarantee a great day? Of course not, but it does put you in a better frame of mind which will help you face the challenges you encounter better. Are you unsure of the benefits of positive self-talk? Consider this:
Research conducted at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Australia found that women who were asked negative questions about pain such as, “How much pain are you experiencing?” reported pain twice as often as those asked neutral questions such as, “How are you feeling?” If such a simple change in language can change perceptions of postoperative pain, imagine how much more it can do for your attitude.
Optimism is Healthier than Pessimism
Just as challenging to change as your vocabulary is your frame of mind. Some people are naturally optimistic while others are pessimistic. Still, you can train yourself to see the good in things if you are willing to make the effort.
• When you catch yourself using negative language or thoughts, make a conscious effort to rephrase things neutrally.
• Keep a journal where you list only the good things which happened during the day.
• Reduce or eliminate the amount of time you spend with negative people.
These small changes can have a profound effect upon your mood and on your stress levels. Successful stress management begins with small steps and ends with huge changes.
