How to Deal With Stress by Changing How You Feel About It

 By Janet Wolfe 

Photo: psychologies.co.uk

We all know stress can hurt us. But I recently learned we might be much better at dealing with stress if we change our attitudes about what stress means. In fact the harm stress does to our health may be caused more by our being stressed about stress, than the original stress itself.

Sound like I'm talking in circles? Well, I just listened to a TED Talk by Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal, entitled "How to Make Stress Your Friend." McGonigal confessed that after years of counseling about stress, she may have been wrong. Stress may not be the villain we think it is.
If this sounds startling, McGonigal says she was "freaked out" herself by the idea that stress could be a good thing. But her change of heart came as a result of an eight year study on 300,000 people in the U.S, all with different levels of stress.

The researchers asked the participants how stressed they considered themselves to be, and also whether or not they viewed stress as harmful to their health. Then over the course of the eight years, they tracked which participants died, and compared the death rates against the answers to their questions.
Sure enough, the people who were under a lot of stress, and also felt stress was harmful were significantly more apt to die prematurely. But surprisingly, the people who had a lot or stress, but didn't think of it as harmful, had lower death rates than the people with very little stress at all.

The Heart and Stress
We've probably all experienced our heart racing and pounding when we feel overly stressed. Over time this is what contributes to much stress related heart disease, and stroke.

The cardio-vascular effects of stress on the bodies of study participants, however, were markedly different depending on their attitudes about their stress. The blood vessels of those who believed themselves to be harmed by stress became contracted, severely limiting blood flow to their brains. But the arteries of the people who did not believe stress was harmful remained relaxed when they were under stress. Their hearts did still race, but each beat carried the blood and oxygen they needed to meet whatever challenge they were facing.

According to McGonigal, this ability to let stress pump more blood without constricting the blood vessels is the same reaction the body experiences when we feel joy, or courage. It is also what happens when we do aerobic exercise. We have to get our heart rate up to make it stronger, and a stronger heart means better health.

We experience physical stress when we lift weights, run alongside our kids as they learn to ride a bike, or carry in a load of groceries. And the more we do those things, the more we can continue to do. We don't think about those kinds of stress as harmful. We may not think of them as stressful at all.

Could changing your attitude lessen the harm of your stress?
For one thing, worrying about the stress you already have just dumps more unnecessary stress on top of whatever else you are dealing with. So dropping the worry alone is a positive move. Understanding that your heart is pounding to help you might give you more courage, knowing you will be strong enough to face stress as it comes.

We could acknowledge our stress as a signal to take action. You could sit and fret about your problems, or use the stress signal to get up and try to fix them. We almost always feel better as we move to get things done.

We could use our stress signals to remind us to breathe deep or meditate more. We could use it fuel us into a brisk walk, to get our blood pumping for all the right reasons. Whatever methods we use to deal with our stress now, the idea that stress could be our friend is certainly worth considering.
In my next article, I will review the second part of McGonigal's TED Talk, where she explains how a particular stress hormone actually keeps us connected with each other.
You can watch the entire uplifting talk at:

http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html.
If you found this article helpful, please leave us a comment. We appreciate hearing from you. And don't forget to share us with your social media friends.

For more tips and great information on how to deal with stress, check out ClearYourStress.com. You'll also find many guided exercises and meditation methods to relieve stress, connect with your inner wisdom, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Visit ClearYourStress.com now to get started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Wolfe

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8318726

Share

Top 10 Questions About Stress

Author: David Algeo, Stress(ed) Guru

Photo: web-images.chacha.com

Stress.  What is it really?  What do we mean when we say "I can't take the pressure?"  Or "I'm stressed out?"  Am I really?  Is it a bad thing?  Or do I actually need stress to get me going?  A lot can be involved when we start a discussion about stress.  And it's important to understand a problem before we can begin to find solutions for it.

Let's tackle the basics here with 7 top questions about stress:

1.  What is stress?

When we talk about stress, we really should be talking about the "stress reaction."  Okay, so what is the stress reaction?  In short, it is an evolved survival  mechanism.  Our senses transmit information about a situation and our mind has to make its mind up;  Am I safe or under threat?  If the decision is ‘under threat,' the mind activates the ‘fight or flight' response.  This then equips the body to proceed with that course of action.  It can occur in an instant, often before you are even consciously aware that there is a threat present.  It's about gearing you up to deal with the threat in order to survive, and then restoring you to your former (unstressed) state, once the threat has abated.

2.  Is there a difference between pressure and stress?

The problem today with these words is that they have become so commonly used and now carry a host of meanings.  Let's keep it simple.   Let's think of ‘pressure' (sometimes referred to as a stressor) as the thing that is applied to us and ‘stress,' or more accurately, our ‘stress response' as the response to that pressure.  An example;  your boss drops a big pile of paperwork on your desk requiring it to be completed by the end of the day (that's the pressure being applied), You, upon seeing this, then stand up, scream and run out of the office (that's your stress response).

3.  What is acute stress?

Some dangers and threats are immediate. Back in the day, when we were living in caves, hunting and foraging for food to live, our bodies evolved to handle the various threats we encountered. Upon realizing that we were in the presence of a dangerous predator, say a sabre-toothed tiger, the stress response was immediate and all-consuming.  Our breathing and heart rates soared, our adrenaline pumped, and all our energies focused on our immediate survival.  This exemplifies acute stress.  It demands a big response from your body, and hopefully it won't need to be maintained for to long.

4.  What is chronic stress?

Some dangers and threats last over a longer term.  Back to the caveman.  In addition to sabre-toothed tigers, there were other threats to survival.  There were periods of hunger, competition for scarce resources, hostile environments, and a host of other daily physical challenges.  Our bodies also used the stress response to adapt to these long-term threats.  When food was scarce, our metabolisms and other bodily functions would slow down so our continued survival required less food.  When bountiful times returned, so would our daily food requirements.  This exemplifies chronic stress.  It is our body's way of surviving those longer term threats or challenges.

5.  There's no sabre-toothed tigers today, why should stress affect me now?

Whilst the stress response itself has not greatly changed, what we deem a threat has.  Thanks to our mind's ability to recall past events and think about future possibilities, we are capable of activating our stress response when simply imagining a threatening situation.  So, unlike the Zebra who is only able to focus on the immediate threats, we can worry about a threat that might occur tomorrow, next week or next month, and subsequently activate our stress response.  And the situation need not be life-threatening for our mind to perceive a threat and thus activate the stress response.

6.  Do we all get stressed out by the same things?

The short answer is no.  Take the example of Christmas.  To some, it is a wonderful time for celebration, relaxation and reflection.  To others, it is an incredibly stressful time that begins with the annual ritual of untangling the tree lights and ends only after the last straggling relative has gone home for another year. How can this be?  Christmas is Christmas.  This is true.  The day itself, the 25th of December, is the same for everyone.  But the values, customs, social beliefs, and past experiences that we bring to a situation determine its effect on us.  Thus to some, Christmas is a source of great joy while to others, it can be a significant stressor.

7.  Does my own mindset affect how stressed I get?

Absolutely yes, and in a number of ways.  One of the things that determines how we will respond to something stressful is our perception of our ability to cope.  Do we have the capacity (physically, psychologically and emotionally) to handle the threat or challenge that we are facing?  What it boils down to is whether or not we believe we have control of the situation.  If we believe that we do not, we may experience an increased stress reaction, maybe even to the point of panic mode.  If that happens, we may become unable to decide upon a course of action, and indeed, lose control of the situation.

8.  How does stress affect me?

There are three key ways in which stress affects us.

• Physically:  Some of the ways that stress can manifest itself in your body are sleep disruption, tiredness, muscle tension, lack of energy, headaches and viral infections.


• Psychologically:  These may be a little harder to spot and include lower motivation, negative thoughts, the inability to switch off, negative self-talk and anxiousness.


• Behaviourally:  There are some behavioural changes caused by stress that you might want be on the lookout for, like working through breaks, craving energy boosters, changes in appetite, teeth grinding and taking work home, becoming irritable, withdrawing.

While any of these warning signs may also point to other issues besides stress, and therefore consider seeking professional medical advice, do consider whether stress is a contributing factor.

9.  Is stress all bad?

There is actually a positive purpose for stress, when used and managed properly.  The stress response is activated as a result of our brain perceiving a need for action.  The stress response engages our body, and we get moving.  When the alarm goes off in the morning, it is the stress response that tells our brain that we need to get out of bed. The brain then tells the body, and alas, we get out of bed.

10.  What could happen if I don't manage my stress?

The stress response evolved to help us out of sticky situations, but it was meant to be turned on for short periods of time when needed, then turned off.  However, if the stress response turns into chronic stress, it can contribute to the development of serious physical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, stomach problems and even cancer.  It can also lead to psychological issues such as clinical depression, anxiety and panic disorders.

To sum it up, the stress response is our body's way of reacting to a threat.  We respond to the situation at hand and return to our normal state when the threat has been resolved.  It evolved to deal with short and even long term physical threats, so problems arise when we can endure long term psychological stress response activation.  Over time, this kind of chronic stress can lead to real physical, psychological and emotional problems.  Understanding how the stress response works, and applying stress management strategies to your life will go a long way toward preventing these kinds of problems in your life.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/top-10-questions-about-stress-5590129.html

About the Author

Hi, I'm Dave Algeo, the Stress(ed) Guru.  I am all about making stress manageable and improving performance and wellbeing.

Check out my website:  https://sites.google.com/site/stressedguruwhite/home

And You tube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/stressedguru?feature=mhum

Through learning, humour and interaction, the message is loud and clear....

'Stress can be managed to improve motivation, health and vitality leading to greater personal and professional success and life satisfaction.'

With a policing background spanning 18 years, over 13 of which as an operational Sergeant, I have witnessed, experienced and worked with stress in its many forms.  From the traumatic to the trying, i know the mechanics of stress and the impact it can have on people and performance.
Whilst stress can be perceived as a negative force, it can be managed effectively using proven techniques and an individual approach.

I have delivered stress programmes to a range of organisations including, Northumberland County Council and Durham University.

Contact me  on 0800 380 0609 to discuss your requirements or click on the following for more information - www.stressedguru.co.uk
   

Share

Music - An Excellent Therapy For Stress And Tension In Today's Scenario

By: Mark Bennett

Photo: sagetherapycenter.com

Our lives are filled with work, family and other personal obligations. It is difficult to manage these obligations and sometimes we feel the need to avoid them. But it is not possible. How much ever you try to avoid them, these things are still part and parcel of your life. At the end of the day, you may feel relieved when these obligations are fulfilled but you are bound to get stressed. Stress is something which will make you think twice when you take up these obligations. This stress may physically and mentally strain you. It is nature's law that human beings are the only creature that get stressed quickly and agitated. Yeah! Stress could increase your blood pressure and give you tension. Now what can be done to cope up with stress? Surely we all know that stress is unavoidable and there is always a solution to overcome it.

There are innumerable methods to relieve stress and the most effective is music. Music is one of the things that could just ease your stress blocks. A pleasing music just makes you relaxed and feel fresh. One of the best things about music is that no matter what kind of music you hear it will still give you a pleasant feeling.

I still remember my car pool friend who always listens to soft and melodious tunes on his iPod. While going to work, he would take out his iPod and would sit back and relax. Frankly most of my car pool buddies found it absurd. But it was actually effective. He would be so much energized in his work that his co-workers would just get astonished. He enthusiasm level would be so high and completes his job on time. His boss always appreciated him for his avidness in doing his work and complimented him.

Gosh! His energy level and enthusiasm would be tremendous. At times I felt that he drank about four or five cups of coffee in a day. Sometimes I felt that he was on medication or something. So one day I just inquired to him on how he was so full of energy the entire day. He just replied that I have my iPod. He took out his iPod from his pocket and showed me the entire list of melodious and soulful songs. He said "Look dude, like all people I get stressed. But as soon as I get stressed, I take out my iPod and just click the play button. My entire stress just vanishes away. You could try it."

Seriously I have heard many people saying that music therapy is one of the greatest medications for stress and tension. Many of us know that seeing is believing and I for sure was convinced. Music has this irresistible characteristic that it just eases your mind. It stimulates our brain cells, making us relaxed and refreshed. Do you know that music has been used to promote healing since ancient time? Most of the physicians and doctors used to prescribe music as a stress reliever to their patients. They never gave any medications and always told to their patients to listen to soft and melodious music.

Music therapy not only involves listening to music but also playing as well. Just imagine a room filled with people who work together. They are using different percussioninstruments and playing a song. You need to notice that most of them may have a friendship that strays outside the office. Still their rhythm and flow of music is proper and precise. How is that possible? Most of them may be non musicians and not great friends. Some could be even bitter enemies. So how is that they are able to produce a wonderful music.

This is the quality of music. No matter what kind of music people play or listen, it just mesmerizes you. From a corporate point of view the above example shows success and teamwork. Even though they were amateur and unprofessional musicians, they had the thirst of achieving success. To quench this thirst of success, each of them cooperated and showed the effect of teamwork.

In short, music is a never aging medication for people suffering from stress and tension. Hear or watch some music on your TV channel offered by cable services like Dish TV Packages and feel relaxed and happy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Mark is a freelance writer and columnist. He has written many articles on topics like news, current events, entertainment and cable TV packages like Dish TV Packages. He is a hardcore fan of comedy sitcoms and watches most of them in his free time.

Share

How To Learn From Failures In 3 Simple Steps

By: Michael Lee

Photo: fastcache.gawkerassets.com

Want to know how to learn from failures? Your journey starts this second. The fact that youre reading this article is proof that youre prepared to take on the challenges that you might not want to face.

It takes courage for people to realize that they need help on how to learn from failures. And you, my dear friend, have that. Learn from your mistakes and move on with your life starting with these steps.

Step 1: Humility Helps.

A little bit of humility goes a long way. You know you did something wrong; and while you might be feeling a bit defensive, you had best keep your emotions in check.

Accept that your plans didnt go as well as you would have wanted and apologize to those who warrant your apology.

Humility is the first step to mending broken ties and relationships. Ignore other people who are talking about you behind your back.

Who you were before, or whatever your status might have been - those are no longer significant. This is not the time for you to start another war, but the time for you to reflect on what you have done.

Step 2: Observe And Report.

By now, the ruckus should have died down a little. If you want to learn from failures, then you need to stay quiet and start listening to other people for once. Watch how your peers and colleagues are handling matters.

You might not have noticed these things before; but now that youre given the chance to observe them, you might be able to pick up a thing or two. This is your chance to learn how you can help straighten things out.

Step 3: Make Things Right.

If you want to know how to learn from failures, then youll have to do a bit of dirty work. Its not the most pleasant task to do, especially if its your mess youre cleaning up; but making things right is extremely crucial to your redemption.

If youre not yet certain of what you can do, ask. You dont have to come up with the one solution that will take care of everything, but you can start by helping out in little ways.

Getting coffee for those who are doing the brunt of the work, for example, is one way you can make amends.

Knowing how to learn from your failures is very important. This is the only way you can grow as a person. Whether its your career or your personal relationship on the line, you must still learn from your experiences.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
To help you achieve your dreams fast, I'd like to give you instant access to more than 100 of the best free self-help ebooks that could greatly change your life! Download them free at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/goldaccess.htm

Share

How To Deal With Your Stress With More Effectively

By: Bingoog

Photo:  managestressandgetfit.com

Stress is regarded getting a organic and natural element of life, nevertheless occasionally it may final result in the nuisance and hinder the psychological growth of the person. slicing along the result of be worried in your lifestyle is extremely pretty vital that you support you reside a happier and additional fulfilling life.

Stress can consider many different forms, as element of existence "it is consistently a stressful time in your own home as element of your job "I'm consistently below stress to encounter deadlines or an subject of the temporary trouble "I just possess a complete whole lot on at this time." We should recognize and recognize the area of be worried within your existence preceding for you can start to look after it.

Before relieving the stress it is best to very first determine the components of your existence than most effects you in conditions of stress. This may possibly appear fast for some, but consider that some regions may possibly hold out merely a tiny part within your life, but you possess a tremendous impact. determine scenarios which could be unpleasant or precisely where your behaviour changes, and hold notes of them in an extremely day-to-day fashion. Your diary will concentrate in your confidential existence stresses and check how you cope with it, even although you really feel stressed or if there is truly a stressful situation you can observe the situations and see why it stressed you. I wish you will see a hyperlink or link between the actions you are involved in and how you feel.

The 1st query to look at is "how could you relieve stress?" producing utilization of the "Diary of Stress" compose that which you do when faced with stress. From this we are able to see in the event you cope with panic in the wholesome way.

Some illustrations of unhealthy methods of coping with stress:
* Alcohol
* keep away from the concern hoping it will disappears
* Ignoring the concern or viewing TV/computer
* Medicine, pills, prescriptions to relax
* much more than consuming or under-nutrition
* Sleeping
* Smoking
* getting the stress out on others
* Withdrawal from culture and buddies and family

All these methods can hold about temporary relief in the man compelled, however, the long-term stress can hold about psychological issues and harsh conditions. So if any of those methods may be the remedy nowadays may be the day time we uncover a brand determine new tactic for you!

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
We can provide you the best WOW Gold and the RS Gold service for you!

Share

The Problem Of Burnout For Nurses And Social Workers

By: Jill Cohen

Photo: nursinglink.monster.com

Nurses and social workers experiences burnout when they are stressed because they take on more than they can bear either physically, psychologically or emotionally. It also varies according to individuals. Stress has been viewed as an occupational hazard. Nurses have the tendency of being anxious over decisions that need to be made, the number of patients who need to be attended to and the different responsibilities that are required in terms of the job description. Many nurses work twelve hour shifts which can be very demanding.

The term burnout was used by Freudenberger in 1974 and it refers to the type of chronic stress that people experience in the helping profession. This can apply to those working in home health care, social work, nursing as well as family members that are caregivers. Ironically, many caregivers do not take care of themselves. There is a level of exhaustion that occurs that often makes it hard to replenish one's own energy.

Sometimes this stress results from not been able to balance work, family and children. This stress could lead to sickness when it is not properly managed. People that are stressed out can also end up calling in sick often and jeapordizing their job. However, due to the level of compassion that many nurses and social workers have, they often feel guilty if they do call in sick.

If adequate attention is paid to the environment where nurses and social workers work, it would go a long way in reducing the stress such as people go through. There is often a lot of pressure for completing documentation that adds to the stress of client care.

It has also been discovered that the length of hours worked to also go a long way in making the job stressful. Nurses who work for 8hours undergo less stress than those who work for 12 hours. However, many people like the idea of having an extra day off during the week so this is a mixed situation.

Being able to do some chair yoga or meditation can be helpful during the day to reduce stress and focus inwards. This can work for many therapists that have their own offices, but for nurses can be more challenging due to lack of privacy.

Another area to look at is that many times nurses and social workers are also involved in being a caregiver in their personal lives. This can be with a parent or may be with a spouse that has physical or mental health issues. Having counseling oneself is an excellent way to help to find out about the ways one handles stress and work on new solutions.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Learn more about Social Work Programs and Social Work Job Interviews.

Share

Reduce Stress To Maximize Efficiency

The right amount of stress can be good for you, such as when an impending deadline pushes you to work faster. Too much stress, however, becomes conterproductive because you start to make mistakes, become confused and muddled, or lose concentration.
When you get too stressed, you tend to push yourself even harder, which only increases stress and inefficiency. So, you need to take a moment to stop and think. No matter how much pressure you're under, it'll be more productive to take the time to step back and put things in perspective. Think about what's more important to you and establish priorities. Under stress, you thoughtlessly take up each task as it comes along, without establishing which ones are more or less important to you.
Once you have a clear understanding of your priorities, then use those priorities to guide your next step. You cannot do everything that you want to do all the time, but you can maintain a balance between tasks that are important and enjoyable to you and tasks that must be done regardless. Maintaining this balance is a very important key to controlling stress.
Stress comes from two sources: internal and external. External sources of stress are external events or problems, such as a drastic drop in sales. Whereas, internal sources of stress come from self-inflicted pressure. For example, if you pin all your dreams for the future on one job interview, you are adding pressure to the situation.
To deal with the outside sources of stress, take each problem and decide whether or not there is something you can do. For large problems, such as a family memeber's illness, there is often nothing you can do. For small problems on which you can take action, first identify the problem. You can even give it a name because, you can often battle a problem more succesfully that you've identified by name.
Then brainstorm with family, friends or collegues and develop as many solutions as possible. It doesn't matter if some ideas don't seem feasible; the aim is to generate an exhaustive list of ideas.
Finally, select a solution to your problem, try it out, and evaluate the results. Above all, persist until you feel better.
Here are few more things you can do to relieve stress.
* Always have your goals written down on note cards and carry them with you. Reminding yourself what you are working towards in your future is naturally uplifting and causes your stress level to go down.
* Go out of your office or home and take a short walk. Leaving the environment for even a few minutes will help you release stress.
* Set aside thrity minutes each day for quiet meditation and deep breathing.
All contents Copyright(c)2005 Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc.
By: Joe Love

All rights reserved worldwide. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

http://ezinearticles.com/members/mem_pics/Joe-Love_1592.jpg" border="0" alt="EzineArticles Expert Author Joe Love">

Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. A former ad agency executive and marketing consultant, Joe's work in personal development focuses on helping his clients identify hidden marketable assets that create windfall opportunities and profits, as well as sound personal happiness and peace.
Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com/

Share

How To Deal With Environmental Stress

By: Trevor Dumbleton

An increasing problem in today's world is environmental stress. This is a type of stress caused by increasing pollution in air we breathe, the water we drink, and even in the sounds we hear. Though environmental stress seems to be simply a physical problem, it can actually alter the ways that our minds work. However, too much environmental stress can also cause physical problems that will ruin our health and lower life expectancy.

One of the most common, and most noticeable, types of environmental stress is air pollution. As factories churn out smoke and carcinogens, we are forced to breathe air that is filled with poisons. Whether we notice them or not, we cannot avoid them. Our lungs are constantly subjected to small particles that stick in the lung tissue and gasses that can find their way into our bloodstream. Obviously, this is not a good situation, because we cannot exactly afford to stop breathing.

As well, we are subjected to a whole variety of chemicals when we drink water. With all the chemicals that are used in farming, or sprayed on our lawns, or poured into our water supplies, the water we drink is filled with all sorts of poisons that are doing our bodies no good. Once again, we cannot afford to stop drinking water, but we do need to be aware that the water we are drinking contains a lot of things that we would not want in our bodies.

However, there is not much we can do to avoid this situation. Obviously, filtered water is superior to simple tap water, but even water filters cannot remove everything from our water. In fact, we do not want filters to remove all of the substances, as water contains many electrolytes that are essential to ensuring the proper functioning of our bodies. Even bottled water is not safe, as the water has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is usually either a stream or from the ground. Unfortunately, streams are filled with particulate matter and chemicals can soak into the ground. However, some water is simply taken from municipal water supplies and those are not safe either. Thus, this is a problem that needs to be faced in day-to-day life.

Unfortunately, these poisons do not only put stresses on our bodies, they put stresses on our minds as well. These physical forms of environmental stress put poisons into our brains as well, and can cause them to functions less effectively. Just as alcohol or drugs can affect the ways that our minds work, these subtle poisons are also seeping into our brains and causing mental changes. In fact, receiving too many of these poisons can slow down mental processes without our noticing the change. It will simply happen so slowly that we cannot notice the difference.

In addition, one of the most common causes of environmental stress is noise pollution. Anybody who lives in a large city is bombarded with a deluge of noise that can damage the ears, numb the senses, and cause a boatload of stress for our minds. With cars, busses, trains, factories, and people all screaming to be heard above the din filling the streets of the modern city. These pressures on our brains and our eardrums are enough to shut the mind down and send it into a cocoon of insensibility.

As well, simply being in a public place can cause us to have to deal with noise pollution. This is, of course, caused by the infamous "cell yell". Anywhere we go in public, we must deal with people yelling into their mobile phones. This is not only annoying, but it is a form of environmental pollution. Listening to someone yell at a phone causes our minds stress and, through that, causes our bodies stress. They are annoying, and annoyance is a form of stress. Thus, we find ourselves stressed by something that is simply a fact of modern life.

Environmental stress occurs to us every day and we should be aware that it is happening. Obviously, we cannot be aware of it all the time because to do so would probably cause us more stress just by simple worry. However, it is a fact of life while living in the modern world and we should have the presence of mind to know that environmental stress takes a toll on a body… and a mind.

About the Author


LowerYourStress.com is a categorized resource directory for everything to do with stress. Get a free ebook to help with your stress levels: http://www.loweryourstress.com/stress-book.html

Share

Recognizing Signs of Stress

By: Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.
Stress is a part of everyday life for athletes. The good news is that not all stress is bad stress. In the right amount, stress helps you focus better and achieve what you want.

Stress is a part of everyday life for athletes. The good news is that not all stress is bad stress. In the right amount, stress helps you focus better and achieve what you want. Stress can help athletes be more alert, more motivated, and gain a competitive edge. But bad stress or chronic, non-stop stress is debilitating to an athlete’s health and performance.


Stress occurs when a person perceives that he or she cannot cope with the demands of the environment. Stress occurs as a response to an event that is viewed as threatening, either physical or mental threat. Under stress, persons respond with the “fight or flight response,” which prepares them both mentally and physically to fight or flee the situation. If stress goes on too long, it can be harmful to an athlete’s health and performance.


The sooner you can recognize that you feel stress or anxiety, the faster you can react and shut it down. How do you know when you are under stress? Three changes can occur: (1) Physical, (2) Mental, and (3) Behavioral. Physical changes when under stress may include tense muscles, pounding heart rate, cold or clammy hands, headache, sweating, and a feeling of butterflies in the stomach. Mentally you are stressed when you begin to worry excessively, make poor decisions, have a limited attention span, make mental errors, and are forgetful. Other signs of stress include talking faster than normal, biting one’s nails, pacing, restlessness, hyperactivity, distractibility, and trembling. Under chronic stress the person will seem tired, restless, and feel out of control.


Chronic stress does harm to your health and performance, but moderate stress is helpful to performance. Stress helps you prepare better for the big game, be more alert, and get excited about playing. The important lesson is that you learn when helpful stress turns into harmful stress and be able to cope effectively. Next month, I’ll discuss some stress management techniques.


About the Author


Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a leading mental game coach who consults with professional and amatuer athletes. He is the author of Going Low, Peak Performance Golf, The Mental Game of Golf and The Mental Art of Putting. For more information call (888) 742-7225. Or sign up for free mental game tips newsletter at: www.peaksports.com.

Share

Ways You Can Reduce Stress Today

By: Dennis Miller

One of first steps towards enjoying a more stress-free life is to know where it's coming from - be it a so-called external source or from yourself.

Your goal is not only to identify as many of your sources of stress as possible, but with as great as precision as possible, and to break your sources of stress down into the 'right size' sources. If you're not sure what's making you stressed, how are you supposed to cope with, or eliminate this stress? Similarly, if you lump all your stresses into one gynormous stress, how are you supposed to even want to begin to tackle your stress?

1:Brainstorm on a blank piece of paper anything or anyone (actions, people and attitudes) that you feel is contributing to your current stress level.

Start off with external actions and people. Then look at how you may, unconsciously or not, be contributing to your own stress, whether it's your mind-talk or attitude or your stress coping skills. For example, ask yourself the following:

-What actions (jobs to do, events and deadlines) do I associate with my stress? -What people (family, friends, colleagues) do I associate with my stress? -How does I contribute to my own stress (attitude/thoughts, feelings, behaviors/habits)?

2:Be as specific as possible, by asking yourself, the 5 W questions - who/what, where, when, why and how.

You want to know what specifically is stressing you so that you can tackle each of the sources of stress one by one, in a manageable fashion, and either eliminate or reduce them.

Anytime you sense that you are being too vague for it to help you, do a stress-buster, and go in for the specific. Classic examples are your stress excuses or cover-ups, such as "It's just a hectic time of year", or "Whenever I'm with Mary, we end up fighting about silly things" or "I just have a nervous personality, that's all".

3:Break down each Stress Source into a Manageable Stress Issue:

If you say simply, "my husband stresses me", you are unlikely to be able to reduce the stress you feel around him, unless you leave him. If instead you identify that "my husband stresses me when he talks about finances...", this already has become more manageable issue. And if you then identify that it's really only when you talk about the phone bill that it gets stressful, then you are able to focus in on one specific stress source.

About the Author:

To learn more about stress management, be sure to check out our site today. We provide tons of useful tips and information on how you can reduce stress.

Share

Living With Someone With Depression

By Jennifer Carter
When someone you live with is suffering from depression, it's easy for the attention of both friends, family & the medical profession to be focused very much on them. Often little thought is given to the difficult role played by those close to them in living with and supporting someone who is depressed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
One thing that's very important to learn and remember is that you can only help them and give care and support if you, yourself, are in good shape, both mentally and physically. Here's three simple tips for helping to retain your sanity through difficult times of supporting a loved one:-
Spend Time With Friends
This is one time that you need to keep in touch with your friends. Even if you can't get out much to see them, try and make a conscious effort to pick up the phone and chat with both friends and family.
Ask For & Accept Help
Asking for help can be very difficult for some people. If you need help with the day to day tasks, you may be surprised to find that people are often very willing to help. Even asking someone to babysit so that you can have a precious evening out can help restore perspective and reduce the level of stress for just a short time. If you find that you are struggling to cope yourself, don't be afraid to seek medical advice.
Make Time For Yourself
Try and find time for some things you enjoy, whether that's walking, reading, sewing, finding a half an hour can give you a well deserved break away from your stressful supporting role.
If you're continually helping others, you'll soon find you have nothing left to give, so it's important to try and look after yourself, as well as you can. Whenever you find yourself making excuses not to, remember that you need to "be kind to yourself" in order to help anyone else.

Jen Carter has been writing for over five years. Her latest website on full spectrum lamps & lighting explores how light therapy boxes may be able to help sufferers of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Carter

Share

Information on Stress Exhaustion

Stress Exhaustion is a combination of physical and emotional exhaustion which is the result of prolonged high stress situations. Combined with lack of rest, stress exhaustion can be highly debilitating. People who suffer from stress exhaustion feel overwhelmed by the events around them. Many also experience feelings of frustration and helplessness. If not addressed, stress exhaustion can lead to additional health problems.

Depression is a state of mind which is characterized by a negative sense of inadequacy and a visual lack of activity. It is a mental state in which the effecting person experiences sad feelings of gloom and downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory and may be due to something complex. The common behaviour includes feelings of sadness, despair, low self-esteem, low self-reproach and discouragement.

Stress applies to any condition that harm the body or the mind. In simple words, it is the condition that results when person-environment transactions lead the individual to perceive a discrepancy, whether real or not, between the demands of a situation and the resources of the person’s biological, psychological or social systems. Every one can get stress whether he is a student or a worker etc.
If you are stressed, you may also be more exposed to risk factors for diseases. For example, smokers may smoke more if they are stressed, and people who drink alcohol to relieve stress may become dependent on it. In the long term this will push up your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and of developing certain cancers. Overall, if you are under long-term stress you are at greater risk of developing disease or dying prematurely.

They also found evidence suggesting that these stress-learning performance relationships were partially mediated by exhaustion and motivation to learn. Both forms of stress were positively related to exhaustion, and exhaustion was negatively related to learning performance. Hindrance stress was negatively related to motivation to learn, challenge stress was positively related to motivation to learn, and motivation to learn was positively related to learning performance. Implications with respect to theory and practice are discussed.

Sudden Severe Loss In this situation, the individual has experienced a sudden, perhaps surprising severe loss. This loss may be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of friendship, or other grief process. In this type of depression, the patient can clearly identify what is creating the depressed mood.

High levels of stress affect the whole hormonal system, especially the thyroid and adrenal glands. Symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include fatigue, muscle weakness, low metabolism and difficulty resisting flus and colds. Other effects range from headaches and depression to increased environmental sensitivities.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an emotional illness that develops as a result of a terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe experience. PTSD sufferers re-experience the traumatic event or events in some way, tend to avoid places, people, or other things that remind them of the event (avoidance), and are exquisitely sensitive to normal life experiences (hyperarousal).

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects people who have gone through a major traumatic (shocking) event. PTSD is characterized by repeated thoughts about the ordeal, a dulling of emotions, an increased tendency to become excited and aroused, and, sometimes, dramatic personality changes.

peterhutch - About the Author:
Read about Celebrities Glamour Magazine . Read about Health online Magazine and India health magazine lifestyle magazine

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/information-on-stress-exhaustion-430763.html#ixzz0mDjvrCrm
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Share

How Can I Control Stress?

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Stress is a major contributor to many maladies that inflict us humans. Day after day we drudge on worrying about every imaginable thing some so trivial that it’s just plain stupid.
Humans are the only earthly animal that has such a problem.(as far as we know!) Other animals go about go about their business undaunted of stressful situations. We are seemingly addicted to stress. Stress has literally taken over our lives. It is as if we fuel our bodies on a daily basis with stress. Seems ridiculous doesn’t it, but you know exactly what I’m talking about, we thrive on everyday stress. Well if we thrive on it why eliminate it; what’s the point? The point is stress is a killer, it’s out to get you, throw you to the ground and stomp all over you.
Stress is a killer
Talk to any doctor and they will tell you unequivocally that stress damages the body immeasurably in countless ways. Stress is the silent killer that infiltrates and then does its damage overtime. Okay you know you are stressful and you don’t like it one bit but how in the world can we eliminate something that is so much of our life? You don’t eliminate stress you control stress. A certain amount of stress is actually good for you, it produces a sense of urgency, a motivation, a driving force. Stress can be compared to an adrenaline rush in as much they both create a burst of energy a sense of urgency. The trick is to harness stress so it works for you not against you.
What is Stress?
Stress is negative energy (worry), bottled up inside with no where to go. Most stress is self-induced. We are a fast paced society, continually trying to go faster. For example, if a speed limit is set at 55-mph invariably most drivers will push the limit and go at least 10-mph faster. It is our nature to push the limit. We are driven to exceed, succeed, and proceed. Unfortunately stress is a part of our everyday lives so we need to deal with it.
Controlling Stress
People make things more difficult then need be. Life needn’t be complicated. Simple is better. Uncomplicate your life.
Set a rule of priorities for your day to day life. Make these priorities realistic, simple, uncomplicated. Know your limitations don’t over extend abilities.
Here are some things that can help you reduce stress.
1. Start your day earlier then you normally would. Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready for work.
2.Eat a sensible breakfast allowing enough time to actually relax and enjoy breakfast.
3.Don’t watch the doom and gloom news while eating breakfast start the day on a positive note.
4.Allow a lot of time to comfortably get to work and if your driving listen to some good music and drive within the speed limit.
5.Limit your caffeine intake to one cup of coffee in the morning and 3 cups total for the day.
6.Avoid refined sugar foods such as doughnuts, processed cereals, pop tarts etc.
7.Don’t drink any soft drinks for are loaded with sugar.
8.Stop with all the competition with co-workers do your job to the best of your ability and good things will happen.
9.Be happy for others who succeed in their endeavors.
10.Drink plenty of clean unpolluted spring water. Water naturally detoxifies the body.
11.If possible take a short nap. I personally nap half an hour after my half-hour lunch.
12.Set realistic goals. Too many people try to accomplish too much too quickly. Most good things worth striving for require a lot of nurturing.
13.Stop worrying about things that are out of your control. 90% of everyday concerns are about stuff you can’t do a wit to change.
14.If a particularly stressful moment or situation occurs take a deep breath (or many) reflect on a pleasant memory and then proceed slowly, deliberately, maintaining control.
15.Set time aside everyday for ‘family talk’ where family members can express their thoughts, problems and communicate one to another. This is a solid ‘stress buster’.
16.Eat nutrious foods high in vitamins and minerals low in calories. Good food delivers optimum health thus reducing stress.
17.Live within your means don’t buy things you know you can’t afford.
18. Only use credit cards for emergencies and plan on paying dept in full each month.
19.Don’t try to keep up with what others have, (I.e. neighbors, family, and friends.) be happy for them, don’t resent what they have.
20. Ground your life in faith, family, and friends. Express your love for the important people in your life openly, let them know how you feel about them without any expectations.
21. Laugh often, smile alot.
22Exercise moderately at least 3 times a week.
23.Sleep a sound 8 hours every night this alone will reduce stress dramatically.
24.Finally accept the fact that life is unpredictable and we all will be thrown a curve ball now and then that may flatten us for a time. Find solace in your faith and know that things will get better and always think highly of yourself.
Stress can be controlled however you must take it seriously and make a plan of action. The silent killer is lurking just below the surface and it wants to destroy you. re you up for the challenge?

Gary Kenneth Archer - About the Author:
Gary Kenneth Archer is a natural health advocate dedicated to the naturalist lifestyle,
web designer,webmaster,professional woodworker,author and frequent contributer to
Natural Health Products allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

naturalhealthproducts.wordpress.com

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/how-can-i-control-stress-514893.html#ixzz0mDirUeHl
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Share

How Dealing With Stress Made Me Feel Better

It doesn't matter where you came from, if you are a guy or a girl, or if your white, brown, black, or purple, stress affects you just the same.

Even with excessive amounts of stress all over in our society, not many people know why we get stressed out or how to deal with it. We need to understand somethings about the common causes of stress.

How Does Stress Begin?

If you take a survey of a handful of stressed out people and ask them what they think has caused their stress, their answers would probably include work, money, and family.
Quite interestingly, these are also among the things that people consider to be the most important parts of their life. So how can these things be both good and bad at the same time?

The thing is that stress doesn't really result from bad things. For example, a tired mother can become stressed over her children only because they run around too much and refuse to sit still. In fact, it is usually the situations that cause stress and not the person, thing or place itself.

Negative Thoughts Result in Stressful Situations

Peoples association between their negative feelings and the situation at hand cause stress. These negative feelings include fear, anxiousness, and anger.

For some reason, people are more drawn towards negative rather than positive feelings. For instance, if you have been ever teased as fat in high school, didn't you suddenly have a penchant for dieting, even if you were only a size 6 at the time?
This is because your mind has latched on to the negative image of you being fat, despite the physical evidence that this is not really true. You can deal with stress by doing the exact opposite. Contrary to giving your mind negative ideas, why not think about positive thoughts instead?

It is impossible to avoid stress. So instead learn to focus on the positives in life. You will need to implement techniques to help cope with stress.

How to Prevent the Side Effects of Stress

Stress is not only psychologically damaging it can also affect your physical health like giving you conditions such as a heart attack, respiratory illnesses, impotence, and a poor metabolism. Those are not all just the most common. To avoid stress, and cope with it. Here are a few techniques you should take on immediately.

• Exercise regularly.
• Constantly motivate yourself.
• Sleep a minimum of 8 hours a night.
• Have a balanced diet.
• Do not over-exert your body.
• When you feel ill. Don't ignore it!
• Spend some time relaxing.
• Implement a mental workout.
• Meditate.
• Listen to soft or classical music in times of stress.
• Make sure you're organized.
• Simplify your life.

Overall the techniques here the most important is to stay calm, cool, and collected. The more you freak out the more you'll lose focus and the more stressed you'll be.

Thomas Turner - About the Author:
Is stress overwhelming your life? Is your lack of coping with stress making you feel irritated and moody? Want to start managing stress? Go now to www.SuperSonicSuccess.com to find many more helpful tips on dealing with stress before it takes over your life.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/how-dealing-with-stress-made-me-feel-better-881354.html#ixzz0m1vFMMCL
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Share

How To Deal With Your Stress Right Now

These days the one word stress can mean so many things to different people. We are constantly bombarded with all kinds of stress whether it be work stress, financial stress, school stress, poor health or relationship stress.
It almost seems impossible having to constantly juggle all your problems and issues by yourself on a day to day basis. Sometimes, you just want to scream for help because it can be so frustrating and overwhelming dealing with life's pressures and expectations.
It is so important to manage your stress the right way or it may lead to anxiety and even depression if not tackled early. You need to learn stress relief techniques to help combat your stress and anxiety positively.
So How Can I Deal With My Stress Effectively?.....
There are so many stress relief and stress management techniques that you can use to reduce and manage your stress effectively now. Here are 7 stress relief techniques that you can use now.
1. Think Positively. Our mind is the most important tool that we have when it comes to dealing with stress on a day to day basis. So it is key to focus our mind to be positive and optimistic all the time with positive words and affirmations. This will not only improve your confidence and morale, but this will improve your overall state of mind.
2. Laugh Out Loud. Laughing is the best medicine when life seems to weigh you down with unexpected life events and toils. Just remembering something funny at work or at home will relieve your mind.
3. Be Organised. Being able to prioritize your daily tasks or activities in terms of it importance will help to decrease your stress when they arise. Try not to leave things to the last minute this will only cause you stress and frustration.
4. Communicate. Expressing your thoughts and your emotions will help your overcome your stress, by telling your friends or family problems that you are dealing with. You will be able to handle your stress in a healthier way.
5. Learn to relax. There are so many things that you can do to relax and unwind when you are stressed like take a bath, listen to music, dance and go out your friends.
6. Accept Problems as they come will help you deal with pressure head on. Trying to avoid your issues will only make things worse in the long term. Learning how to deal with problems when they arise will help you to cope better.
7. Excercise. Doing physical activities like sports or going to the gym will improve your mind and body. This is a great stress relief technique.
Stress management can be achieved by regular stress relief and stress management tools. By applying these techniques to life, this will help you live a happier stress free lifestyle.

Stress Relief - About the Author:
To find out more free information on how to reduce and manage your stress more positively join Everything About Stress Relief Newsletter http://www.everythingaboutstressrelief.com today. Claim your FREE report The Stress Relief Strategy now

Share

Avoiding Stress

By Mateo Martins
In today's hectic and eventful world it can be very hard to not get stressed. With the amount of bills, sounds and new impulses coming at as every second it is a wonder that we can even function as well as we do. Stress can be very detrimental to your health if you allow it to and therefore it is a really good idea to quickly measure and control your stress levels. The worst thing you can literally do is to feel stressed and just try to ignore it and keep going, you might think that by ignoring it you are getting rid of it, but all this stress will compound over time and suddenly hit you like a brick wall.
Now that we have established how important it is to deal with stress as soon as possible, it is time to see what kind of methods you can use to lower your stress levels and consequently heighten the quality of your life. The first thing you want to do about your stress level is what is called taking preventive action. The preventive action is just a system that will help you stop the stress before it even occurs and is therefore a very proactive solution compared to some of the stress coping methods that are more immediate and in reaction to an already occurring problem.
A really easy way to greatly minimize the amounts of stress you feel is to organize your day. Every night before you go to sleep, make sure you create a to do list for the next day. Now you might think that this will further stress you, but what you are going to do is to put priorities on the different tasks. So assign either low, medium or high priority on the tasks on your list, where High priority levels are the tasks you absolutely have to complete, make sure you don't have more than 2-3 of these on any given day.
This simple exercise will let you have a 100% clear image of what is really important each day and in this way you will focus on each of the important tasks one at the time instead of trying to multi task. Multi tasking is the ultimate stress builder and should be avoided at all costs.
Start using this method from tonight and within a week you should see lowered stress levels and a more relaxed mental state.

Make sure you visit my newest site: Asscher Cut Engagement Rings http://www.asschercutengagementringssite.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mateo_Martins

Share

How to conquer stress--with a hobby

Everyone knows that stress can take a heavy toll on your mind and body, but one simple activity can not only prevent the harmful effects of stress but also make your life richer and more rewarding. Hobbies have been around since ancient times, yet few people use them as an effective tool to beat stress. The secret is in choosing a hobby that not only picques your interest, but that you find mentally engaging as well. A major component of stress is worry. A fascinating hobby crowds out worry thoughts by replacing them with positive ideas and study.
Watching television or listening to music might be classified as hobbies; however, they rarely provide the mental stimulation needed to leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied afterward. A worthwhile hobby will make you a more rounded, interesting person. It will give you an outlet to explore your creativity. It will also bring you in contact with fascinating people, which can relieve loneliness.
If you have a hobby that you've lost interest in, or you're looking for a new hobby, check out these tips for exploring the endless possibilities before you.
1. Your hobby should interest you.
Don't get into a hobby just because a friend or relative enjoys it. You'll soon tire of it if that's your only motivation. No, your hobby should be an activity that you enjoy. And unless you're truly interested in it, don't take over someone else's collection and add to it. Pick something you like. Be original!
2. Explore what the world has to offer.
If you get an idea for a hobby, the Internet is the best place to research it. Whether it's collecting, art, crafts, or reading about a specific topic, you can find thousands of web sites, clubs, and user groups to give you more information. If your public library doesn't have books on the hobby you're researching, ask a librarian to order them for you through interlibrary loan. This is a free but often underused service of public libraries. A knowledgeable librarian can also help you find magazines and newsletters about your area of interest.
3. Pick something you're passionate about.

What one person finds captivating, another may think is silly or boring. Remember that you don't have to satisfy or impress anyone else with your hobby. This is for you. Pursue something that gets you excited. Don't be discouraged if you try several different pastimes before you succeed. You'll know you've found the right hobby when you look forward to doing it, when you're happy during your hobby time, and when it leaves you feeling relaxed and positive.
4. Pick a hobby that's affordable.
Many people don't consider this aspect, but it's better to do something that doesn't run up debt, tie up a lot of your money, or make you frustrated because you later find it's out of your reach financially. A hobby doesn't have to be expensive to be fulfilling. Again, remember that the object of a hobby is not to impress people, but to do something that's fun and appealing to you.
5. Pick a hobby that is challenging.
Some collectible items are rare or hard to find. The pursuit of them is part of the excitement. Some hobbies, like painting, playing a musical instrument, or baking, have no limits. Today, instructional videos or DVDs are available that can teach you almost anything. Be realistic and don't expect to master your new interest right away. You have the rest of your life to develop your skills. Soon you'll experience a great sense of personal satisfaction as you become more and more accomplished.
A captivating hobby is a positive, healthy way to escape, if only for an hour at a time. As you grow in your hobby, you'll feel more contented as a person and less vulnerable to the stress of your job and everyday life.
Jack Zavada is an avid wood carver, toy soldier collector, and fisherman, who lives in Streator, Illinois. He is the author of four novels and over 5,000 newspaper and magazine articles. His web site is http://www.inspiration-for-singles.com.
Related Articles - stress, work, hobby,

Share

Do Not Let Stress Kill You - Importance of Handling Them Effectively

By Greg Correll
Having a little stress in life will give you that extra push you need when it comes to getting things done. The problem with that is, how much stress do you really need? Not only excess stress can trigger anxiety, depression and affects your mental health negatively, it can also affect our physical health as well! This article will talk about the physiology of stress and why you should handle them effectively before they kill you.
On top of the negative mental health effects, here are some ways stress is killing our body:
Firstly, we experience the fight or flight mode, a change in the state and physio of our body that includes several different hormones and chemicals being released into our body such as adrenaline and endorphins. Heart rate will go up together with your blood pressure and blood flow can slow down for several part of our organs. This mechanism is in place to gives us the sudden burst of energy for survival, one that is necessary back in the past.
Once our perceived threat is over, the body will start to repair any tissue that was damaged during the stress stage, this is called stress resistance. Although not in the fight or flight mode anymore, our body is still somewhat on alert mode, normal function of the body will begin again.
The last physiological change to our body is stress exhaustion, this is where it can be potentially harmful to our body, especially the more we go through it. The immune system now will be suppressed, because of the overabundance of chemicals in our body, and thus causing our cardiovascular system to suffer.
This is also why stress is often linked to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. The changes stress brings to our body can often leads to formation of stomach ulcers, falling sick regularly due to a weakened immune system, as well as a change in our eating habits.
Other notable ways it can affects our body are headaches and body aches, it can also alter your sleeping pattern altogether. On top of that, a drop in sexual desire and performance are also commonly reported and linked to stress.
The worst part about having excess stress in our life is that it often escalates our current health complication, especially complication that involves our nervous system. Escalation of chronic pain, bowel disorders and digestive problems are not uncommon when someone with the condition undergoes a stressful period.
Handling stress can indeed be a life saver, because there is no real way to avoid stress altogether, therefore one needs to learn how to disperse them effectively before it severely alters your health and your mental health!

Author has been writing health related articles for a couple of years now, you can find more of the author's work on kids outdoor furniture and kids patio furniture here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Correll

Share

A Few Thoughts on Combating the Blues

By Zack Rhodes
Life can be difficult enough to deal with sometimes. But when we are feeling down even the most ordinary of tasks can seem twice as hard to do. There are many reasons why people get the blues, lack of satisfaction in a job or personal life, money problems, something that happened in the past or even something mundane like the weather. With winter fast approaching many people will feel affected by the change in season.
The blues are a manifestation of the minds warning signals that tell us when something is wrong. Feeling down is like the minds call for help. We need to listen to this call and act upon it in a timely fashion otherwise this feeling can get worse and manifest itself in other ways.
A lot of people worry about getting the blues which is understandable. But feeling down sometimes is just part of getting along with life. There is nothing wrong with feeling sad from time to time; however, if the blues are lasting for long periods of time they need combating. There are various things you can do to beat the blues and feel good about yourself. Some of this involves actual physical activity while others involve changing your perspective on things.
Being active is good for all of us, but especially important for people who are down and those at risk of it. Research shows that physical activity and exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and contribute to positive feelings of wellbeing. Building more physical activity into your lifestyle is one way to beat the blues. You don't need to run marathons - there are gentler ways of increasing activity levels, such as walking, dancing, or climbing two or three floors of the stairs at work every day. Alternatively you can try incorporating another great mood booster - being social - with exercise to enhance the experience even more.
There are plenty of opportunities to socialise with other people while exercising. Pop down to your local leisure centre and you will see a host of different clubs, societies and exercise classes you can join. Alternatively, if you want to save a bit of money, just find a friend to go running or walking with. Never underestimate the power of being around others to help you through the blues, even when you don't feel like talking to people.
This brings us to our next point about networks. Maintaining a network of reliable people in the good times is an excellent resource to draw strength from in the bad times. Your friends are family are there to help you in the same way you are there to help them. Make sure you do not fall into the trap of feeling too proud to ask for help or even just to talk. The quicker you use your friends the quicker you find a solution to your blues. Who wants to feel down when they could feel good? Exactly! No one.
One distinguishing feature about the blues is that it can be difficult to put a finger on the cause sometimes. There may be many things wrong or sometimes nothing at all. Learning about what is causing our negative feelings is a process of self appraisal; learning more about ourselves reveals our problems and solutions. You may feel that you know all there is to know about yourself; however, unless you have developed intense introspection, the chances are there is a lot for you still to learn.
Self-awareness is the key to understanding yourself and the problems you face in your life. Self-awareness has the unique ability to help you gain a bit of perspective on a problem.
Coping effectively with life's problems and failures requires realistic expectations. Psychologists call these expectations and judgements 'appraisals'. Life events (such as traffic jams or the boss's attitude) aren't a problem unless we appraise them as such. If our appraisals are realistic, we're better able to react to day-to-day life events with a sense of proportion.
The appraisals we make are a product of our belief system. If we hold unrealistic, inflexible beliefs then our appraisals may not be the most appropriate for the situation.
Irrational beliefs often include 'musts' and 'shoulds', with an emphasis on perfection. 'I must be liked by everyone' and 'I must be competent and perfect all the time' are all irrational beliefs. They're difficult - if not impossible - to achieve.

This Article is bought to you by Zack Rhodes, A self-help and motivational speaker from the United Kingdom who has been helping people achieve their dreams and attain success. If you liked this article please check out my other articles.
To get your free 5 day e-course and your free copy of the great all time best seller "Think and Grow Rich" please visit: http://www.selfhelpsuccess.net email me:support@selfhelpsuccess.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zack_Rhodes

Share