Overview

Everyone feels stressed from time to time. Not all stress is bad. All animals have a stress response, and it can be life-saving. But chronic stress can cause both physical and mental harm.

There are at least three different types of stress:

• Routine stress related to the pressures of work, family, and other daily responsibilities

• Stress brought about by a sudden negative change, such as losing a job, divorce, or illness

• Traumatic stress, which happens when you are in danger of being seriously hurt or killed. Examples include a major accident, war, assault, or a natural disaster. This type of stress can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Different people may feel stress in different ways. Some people experience digestive symptoms. Others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger, and irritability. People under chronic stress get more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold. Vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them.

Some people cope with stress more effectively than others. It's important to know your limits when it comes to stress, so you can avoid more serious health effects.

https://medlineplus.gov/stress.html 

Path to improved Well Being

Stress can cause health problems or make existing problems worse. Talk to your family doctor if you think your symptoms could be caused by stress. It’s important to make sure they aren’t caused by other health problems.

Learn to recognize when you’re feeling stressed. Early warning signs of stress include tension in your shoulders and neck or clenching your hands into fists. Try to avoid the event or situation that leads to your stress. If that’s impossible, change how you react to stress.

• Exercise. It’s a healthy way to relieve your pent-up energy and tension. Exercising releases feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins. It also helps you get in shape physically, which makes you feel better overall.

• Eat right. Stress can affect your appetite. Make sure you’re eating regular, well-balanced meals.

• Get some sleep. It’s important to get enough sleep so your body has time to repair itself.

• Meditate. Meditation is a form of guided thought. It can take many forms. You can do it with exercise that uses the same motions over and over, like walking or swimming. You can meditate by practicing relaxation training, by stretching, or by breathing deeply.

  • Relaxation training is simple. Start with one muscle. Hold it tight for a few seconds and then relax. Do this with each of your muscles, beginning with the toes and feet and working your way up through the rest of your body.

  • Stretching can also help relieve tension. Roll your head in a gentle circle. Reach toward the ceiling and bend side to side slowly. Roll your shoulders.

  • Deep, relaxed breathing by itself may help relieve stress. This helps you get plenty of oxygen and activates your body’s relaxation response.

• Let go. Don’t worry about things you can’t control, such as the weather.

• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Solve the little problems. This can help you gain a feeling of control.

• Be ready. Prepare to the best of your ability for events you know may be stressful, such as a job interview.

• Chin up. Try to look at change as a positive challenge, not as a threat.

• Work it out. Resolve conflicts with other people.

• Talk it out. Discuss what’s bothering you with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor.

• Keep it real. Set realistic goals at home and at work. Avoid overscheduling.

• Have some fun. Participate in something you don’t find stressful, such as sports, social events, or hobbies.

• Just say no. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. They can actually increase your stress levels.

https://familydoctor.org/stress-how-to-cope-better-with-lifes-challenges/?adfree=true