When you are stressed, the body reacts by going on "high alert". When the threat that is causing the stress passes, the body is supposed to recover quickly. But when you have consistent stressors—causing chronic stress—your body will remain on "high alert", leading to physical problems such as poor concentration, bad moods, professional burnout, and other mental and physical health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and anxiety.
In order to avoid the onset of chronic stress, it is important to learn how to recognize the physical and emotional signs of stress early on. This way, you will be able to reduce the impact stress has upon both your physical and mental health.
Next time you feel stressed, take account of the physical and emotional symptoms that stress has upon your body, so that you can recognize the signs of stress the next time around.
Now that you have identified the physical and emotional symptoms that stress has upon your body, you will need to learn how to prevent stress from building in the first place and how to manage it when it does.
Self-care is incredibly important to prioritize in order to avoid the build up of stress. Prioritizing yourself is neither selfish nor indulgent—it is necessary. If you are only functioning at half of your full capacity, you will not be able to give your all to the people and commitments who are most important to you.
Start prioritizing yourself with small changes in your daily routine that help you build resilience in stressful circumstances. Some of these practices include frequently exercising, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and sleeping enough. Another way to decompress and reduce the stressors in daily life is by doing something that you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music. Whatever you do to relax, just make sure it allows you to shift your attention away from your stress to focus on the positive over the negative.
Feeling stuck in the same old routine? Try scheduling your day in ways that will allow you to remain productive while making time for relaxation and fun.
If you are someone who thrives under a little structure, you can add some additional structure to your routine by creating a daily framework that will allow you to stay in touch with your body's signals.
For example, at night, schedule time to wind down, take a shower, and get ready to sleep in order to prioritize yourself over work and other commitments.
It is also important to schedule time for meals throughout the day. Try your best to make sure you are eating three meals and plenty of water to replenish your energy throughout the day.
It is important to continue fostering close relationships in your life. Thankfully, our access to technology makes this easier than ever before.
Remaining in touch with family, friends and important groups in your life can be reassuring and calming. Plus, it provides you with people to talk to and confide in.
If the people who are important to you are far away or remaining isolated for health concerns, you can use video features to enhance connection through online communication.
If you are having trouble relieving your stressors by yourself, it can be very powerful and helpful to seek support in the people around you. Look to your friends and family or other trusted individuals for help with everyday stressors such as caregiving, relationships, health, work and money.
Mental health professionals are another valuable resource that can help you navigate and alleviate the stressors you are experiencing. Seek support from a mental health professional if your stress is beginning to impact your wellbeing or if you are having trouble managing the stress you are experiencing by yourself.
