We might not know it but stress can actually do more damage to your body than most people think. Most people take advantage of their body’s limit and push it to extreme just to get the job done, while thinking that their body will adapt to the stress they impose upon it.
But truth to tell, our body have a certain capacity in which it can function; exceed those capacities and you will end up in one of the rooms of the hospital waiting for your body to recover. Stress can affect you in many ways – physical, mental and emotional functions are disrupted gaining you the inability to function properly whether social, personal or career work.
Stress effects on your body
There is a certain degree in which stress can affect your body. A stressed person will complain of headaches and body pains here and there. If left unchecked, this will lead to migraine and muscle tension that will eventually lead to stiffness.
Major changes will affect the biochemical functions of your body. This involves diarrhea, constipation, nausea and dizziness. You will find it hard to sleep at nights even if you feel week and needs rest. People usually resort to medications to counter this effect, but will only give temporary remedy.
To those who suffer from a weak heart, most often they will complain of chest pains and rapid heartbeat – the usual signs and symptoms that will eventually lead to stroke or cardiac arrest. Note however that different physical manifestations of stress can be seen for different people, it all depends on your body’s capacity.
Behavioral problems related to stress
Aside from physical manifestations of stress in your body, you might also notice some behavioral changes while under the throes of stress. Changes in sleeping patterns, lack of sleep or inability to sleep during normal slumber hours is usually the initial reactions to stress – these are usually caused by heightened emotional and mental functions which is more into the negative aspect rather than positive.
Self-pity and isolation is caused by the depressed mental state of the person when certain problems crop up in their every day life. Irritability and anger will start when the person is bereft of his or her natural ability to rationalize which is usually the case when stressed or being burdened by heavy problems.
How to cope
There are different techniques that a person can employ to avoid these manifestations of stress in their life. The first technique, and the most important one, is learning how to relax when stress pays you a visit. You an employ techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, aromatherapy, or music therapy to induce a state of relaxation to your mind. Once you have achieved this step, you can proceed on how to deal with stress that affects your body.
Since most of your physiological functions are imbalanced due to stress, you can start by pampering your body through various massages offered by health spas within your neighborhood. Loosen those tight muscles to relieve assorted aches and pains and increasing your flexibility.
Physical exercise can also help develop cardiovascular functions and strengthening your heart to avoid stroke or rapid heart rate. Also, you need to keep a close lookout on your diet, make sure you avoid taking in junk foods and fast foods that will elevate harmful chemicals in your body.
Try to stick with fruits and vegetables and take in herbal supplements to help rejuvenate your body.
Learn To Play Around When in Stress
A more direct way in dealing with stress is to indulge in activities that can take your mind off your problems. This stress management technique is practically the most popular since this method promises a whole lot of fun and a lot of positive results.
Engage in sports
One of the most recommended methods in reducing your stress is to engage in sports. There are plenty of ways to find the peace of mind you need to release yourself from problems that crop up during your daily routine.
Team sports is a great way to release your stress and improves your social skills as well. You can gather your friends around for a round of basketball or sweat it out in tennis or badmintion. These games helps you focus on your team in winning the game rather than putting all your energy in worrying about your problems.
Another sport is to go hiking out or do mountain climbing. This sport not only improves your health with a good dose of exercise, you can also enjoy the scenery by hiking out with nature. Fishing is also a good sport in relieving stress. If the fish aren’t biting, you can enjoy the scenery and reflect on your life. Most people prefer this sport in dealing with their problems and most confirm that the presence of nature plays an integral role in helping them out.
Board games are well and good
An enjoyable way to relive stress without the need to sweat is a good bout of board games. There are plenty of games that can divert your mind from stress and leaves a lot of room to think on how to win.
Chess is a great way to relieve stress since you need to think of strategies on how to outwit your opponent and not much on your problems. Board games like scrabble and monopoly is a fun way to play especially when you’re with your friends and families.
Internet games
The information superhighway or the Internet can be a good source of games that suites your taste. You can go for online crossword puzzle and sodoku if you crave for intellectual activities which involves a lot of thinking. If you prefer to release stress by blasting space aliment then you look for Flash games that is being features in some websites.
It’s not all about the game
Despite all the sports and games that you can practically play on your free time, you need to focus your mind on the game if you want a relief from your stress. These activities would mean useless if you still think about the problem. You might also go on a losing streak if you don’t focus on teh game.
It might be quite possible to focus on the sport or the game if you have such heavy burden plaguing your every thought. You need to practice focus and divert your mind from the problems that results to stress.
One way to do this is to instruct your mind that you need to focus on the game and on your teammates. You might get on the wrong side of your partners your team keeps losing that match because your head isn’t on the game. You need to realize that the game is useless if you don’t put your mind into doing it.
Manage Your Health And Stress For A Better Life
We might not notice it but stress and your health are practically two sides of the same coin. One exists with the other and never without. Considering that we are living in a fast-paced generation, stress can be felt anywhere you go and whatever you do. And since health and stress are related, you might feel certain repercussion on your body that will slow you down.
Stress affects your bodies in different ways. While in throes of stress, you might feel that you’re emotionally, physically and mentally down. The three imbalances might prove harmful to your health – you could suffer from depression, migraines, high-blood pressure, heart problems, and so on.
Take care of your health
If stress is part of your everyday routine, then it is only crucial that you take care of your health to compensate for the pressure that you will feel when stress lands on you feet. Try to carefully observe how your body reacts to certain stimuli that produce stress so that you will know how to avoid negative effects on your body.
Some might think that they’re bodies will adapt to these stress and will improve their performance. Well, this is wrong. This is not like some online games that the more you get experience from fighting monster, the stronger you become. Our bodies have limits, and it is very important to understand and gauge our limits carefully before it’s too late.
Be Happy – Stress can be eliminated.