General Information
Stress is something that just about everyone knows well and experiences often. It’s that feeling of pressure, typically a result of too much to do and too little time to do in it. In a busy life, stress is almost unavoidable.
Stress is caused by events that are positive — new job, vacation, or marriage — as well as negative — job loss, divorce, or death in the family. Stress is not the event itself but rather, your psychological or physical reaction to the event.
Anxiety is a tense feeling that often accompanies stress. It’s typically directed toward the future — toward something that may happen soon. Some anxiety can motivate you or help you respond to danger. However, if you have ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily activities and makes it hard to enjoy life, then anxiety can be a problem.
When you experience stress and anxiety, especially if they’re severe, your body will respond physically to the threat. Your heart beats faster and breathing quickens. Your blood pressure and blood sugar level rises. Blood flow to your brain and large muscles also increases. After the threat passes, your body slowly relaxes and functions return to normal.
You can usually handle the negative effects of stress when it’s occasional, but when stress happens regularly, the effects tend to increase and multiply. Chronic stress is often involved with situations that aren’t easily resolved, such as relationship problems, loneliness, financial worries or long workdays.
Signs and symptoms
Stress and anxiety can produce a variety of physical, emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms.
The earliest indications that your body is feeling under stress may include headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation and insomnia. A nervous habit such as nail biting may reappear. You may become irritable with people who are close to you.
Occasionally, this response is so gradual that you, your family and friends don’t recognize that there’s a problem until your health or relationships change.
Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of stress can lead to illness — perhaps aggravating an existing health problem or possibly triggering a new one, if you’re already at risk for that condition.
Controlling stress
Learning strategies to manage stress can help reset your body’s response to stressful times. Without these tools, your body may remain on high alert, which, over time, can produce serious health problems.
DIY Home Remedy / Natural Treatment
- Learn to relax. Relaxation isn't just about finding quiet time or enjoying a hobby. It's a process that helps you repair the toll that stress takes on your mind and body. Your goal is to lower your heart rate and blood pressure while also reducing muscle tension.
- Discuss your concerns. Talking with a friend helps relieve stress and may offer a more positive perspective on your situation.
- Get plenty of sleep. Sleep provides you with more vigor and a refreshed state of mind for tackling major problems.
- Stay physically active. Exercise helps burn off excess energy that stress can produce. Even brief periods of activity can help reduce tension and improve your mood.
- Eat regular, balanced meals and healthy snacks.
- Limit caffeine. Too much coffee, tea, or soda can increase your level of stress.
- Plan ahead. Approach daily responsibilities in a practical and organized fashion.
- Deal with anger. Anger can and should be expressed, when it's done carefully. First, compose yourself. Then, respond to the strong emotions.
- Be realistic. Set goals you can achieve. Concentrate on what's important. Setting unrealistically high goals invites failure.
- Get away. A change of pace or change of scene may help you develop a whole new outlook on your situation.
- Avoid self-medication. At times people rely on medication or alcohol for stress relief. Such substances tend to only mask the underlying problem.
- Make time to enjoy life. Going for walks or to the movies, golfing with friends or getting together for a game of cards helps relieve inner pressures.
- Nurture your inner spirituality. Nature, art, music, meditation and prayer, as well as religious services, can help you build inner strength and perspective.
- Develop a support network. Family members, friends, and co-workers whom you can turn to for support may be helpful when coping wit stress.
Relaxation therapy
Relaxation therapy includes many techniques, ranging from paced respiration and deep breathing to meditation and progressive muscle relaxation.Massage
A number of studies indicate that massage can help you control stress and anxiety by relaxing your muscles and calming your mind.Yoga
Regularly practicing yoga may help reduce daily stress and anxiety. Kundalini yoga, a type of yoga that's been studied specifically for anxiety disorder, combines poses and breathing techniques with chanting and meditation.Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses oils from various plants to treat illness and promote health. It's believed that compounds in the oils activate certain brain chemicals that have a relaxing effect.Art and music therapy
Drawing, painting, clay and sculpture can help express your inner thoughts and emotions when talking about them is difficult. Listening or playing music -- even during medical procedures -- has also been shown to have relaxing and calming effects.
Medical Help
