Is your life filled with stress?

Today’s world is rife with stress, from deadlines, demands and disappointments, there are very few people whose lives are devoid of stress. For most people, stress is simply a way of life. However stress in it of itself isn’t always terrible, when its manageable it can give you the push needed to perform at a higher level but when it is unmanageable it can wreak havoc on your mind and body.

If you are constantly feeling fatigued, overwhelmed, anxious, near tears or suffer from physical symptoms like constant colds, dizziness, headaches, body pains or stomach issues then it might be a sign that your body and mind may be under too much stress. If you find yourself stuck in destructive behaviors like eating compulsively, drinking excessively, losing control of your emotions or other forms of acting out then that can also be a sign that your life may be out of balance.

Understanding your body and listening to the signals that your body, mind and spirit are giving are the first steps to coping with stress.

How does one cope with stress?

The first step can be to limit or reduce stress in one’s life. If your job is too stressful to the point of being debilitating, then it would be prudent to begin to look for other employment. If your relationship has become a terrible stressor then it would be wise to discuss this with your mate and look for resolutions, if external stimuli are the cause of stress then where possible limit or remove contact with such stimuli.
However removing all the causes of stress is impossible for most people and in fact perhaps not even desirable as it has already been noted that stress in reasonable doses can positively impact our lives.

What are some things we can do to manage stress?

Manage our diet: Our dietary intake should include whole-grains like oat, maize, brown rice, fruits and vegetables and it should be low in refined carbohydrates, like white flour and sugar (cakes, pastry), chocolates, as well as junk food like potato chips etecera.

Limit alcohol: Alcohol can drain the body of nutrients and even though we are socialized to reach for that glass of wine when we are stressed, it can actually intensify stressful situations rather than alleviate them.

Stop smoking: Smoking can increase stress by increasing the stimulation of the adrenal glands, leading to constricted blood vessels and that can lead to headaches, among other things.

Use herbs and vitamin supplements: Herbs such as Siberian ginseng, kava kava, chamomile can help to calm the nervous system and decrease the body’s response to stress. Vitamin B is called the stress vitamin and vitamin C, an antioxidant, can help to boost the immune system and prevents stress related colds and infections. As with any supplement please contact your health care provider to ensure that it is safe for you to take, in case it interacts with any medications or pre-exisiting conditions.

Aromatherapy: This can be an effective tool in reducing stress. Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tangerine and Ylang Ylang are relaxing and soothing. Using candles that are infused with these oils can help.

Massaging and Baths: Massages relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Warm baths can also reduce stress by relaxing muscles and increasing circulation.

Exercise: This is essential to the body. Vigorous exercise for 30 minutes, at least three times a week, can relax the body and reduce anxiety. Exercise can include walking, jogging, biking, swimming or aerobics.

Meditation and Prayer: Taking time out to be quiet and contemplative can work wonders for the stressed mind and prayer is restorative to the spirit.

All of these are easy things to incorporate into any lifestyle. Every life is worth living with balance.