Coping with Stress
Life can never be free from some level of stress. Some stress can help us to perform in many aspects of our lives. Some people even thrive on stress and will seek it out in the form of dangerous sports or jobs. We all have different abilities to cope with stress, and when it becomes too great it can become extremely destructive. Learning to cope with stress is one of the greatest challenges of life. People experience different 'triggers' that make them stressed. Recognising these triggers is the first part of dealing with stress itself.
Symptoms
As stress builds up, there is a recognised pattern of behaviour:
You always feel tired.
You may suffer from poor concentration and short-term memory - it is difficult to follow a long conversation.
You worry greatly about issues such as money, family, relationships, job etc.
You feel unwanted and unloved.
You are indifferent towards your personal appearance.
You have a reduced interest in sex.
You may adopt repetitive behaviour such as going round the house switching off lights or checking the hot tap hourly for drips.
Alcohol or even drugs can be abused, particularly to get some sleep or relaxation.
Irritability increases, and a short fuse develops where something very little will spark off a reaction.
Causes
It is impossible to list all the causes of stress, and they vary from person to person. The severest forms of stress are those things over which you have no control. Money, family, relationships and work as well as moving house will all cause stress at some time. Your state of mind and general health will also be a factor in the way stress affects you and your ability to cope with it.
Prevention
Remember what causes your stress, and when you get caught up in a stressful situation, use it as a cue to relax. Medications have little part to play in coping with stress.
Complications
Stress can affect almost every part of your body. It can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and digestive problems including peptic ulcers, and can result in a reduced ability to fight infection. Further harm can come from alcohol or drug abuse in an attempt to cope with stress. It also can affect personal relationships, work and your sex life.
Self care
Exercise is an excellent way to burn off frustration and stress. Paradoxically, sport, which appears stressful, can often be the opposite. As a completely different approach, try peaceful and gentle relaxation techniques such as yoga. Both ways of reducing stress will help your sleep patterns without the need to resort to drugs or alcohol.
Alcohol and smoking will, at best, provide only short-term relief from the effects of stress. At their very worst, in excess they will produce their own problems.
Be aware that depression can result from severe stresses, and always seek help if you feel despair.
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