When stress stresses us out

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-07-31 02:08

Stress is one of the most common “words” and “ills” in the world! It is therefore a term that is a bit overused, so much is it used in all the sauces…

According to some, they are stressed all day long by a host of situations beyond their control.

Stress is normal…

For some, stress is the amalgam of emotions felt during a change at work, illness, bereavement… For others, it will be a downright physical reaction to a disruptive event, such as biting your nails, or having a racing heart… Everyone has their own level of stress and reacts accordingly to disruptive events in their lives.

Stress is a completely normal reaction of the body to anything that brings about a change in a person's life, both positively and negatively. In fact, as soon as it is subjected to an event that is out of the ordinary, the body tries to adapt to it. If he interprets the situation positively, he can give extra energy. Otherwise, the consequences are more serious, ranging from nervous tics to more serious psychological disorders.

Signs of Stress

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Heart Attack
• Insomnia
• Relationship issues
• Breathlessness
• Stiff neck
• Stomach ache
• Weight loss or gain
• Heartburn

It's our perception that changes everything

Our life is filled with stressful events: from the birth of a child to the death of a parent, through the vagaries of professional life and those of love life… No one is at safe from the vagaries of life. So the difference lies in how we react to these situations.

The consequences of stress on the body are numerous. For example, stress can cause fatigue, headaches, insomnia; affect the digestive system (the famous ulcers) or downright reduce the resistance of the immune system. Without forgetting its already known effects on hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Watch your diet

Alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat decrease your physical capacity to deal with stress. A well-balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, and foods high in protein but low in fat, will keep you he althy.

The first thing to do in a stressful situation is to identify the symptoms that you have and which are repeated from one time to another… Then, the applicationA relaxation technique, be it yoga, Tai-chi, or meditation (to name a few), helps to focus and soothe the strength of the emotions felt. Naturally, a he althy lifestyle that includes exercise, good nutrition and plenty of sleep gives the runner more chances!

Suggestions for managing stress

• Don't worry about things that are completely out of your control, like the weather. Even if you ruin the day because it's raining and it's destroying your outdoor plans, it won't stop raining! Instead, focus on what you can control, like what you'll wear to weather the weather, or what other outings you might do instead!
• Prepare as best you can for situations that may cause you stress. You know Aunt Ginette and her hurtful chatter will be there? Start taking deep breaths right away, thinking happy thoughts about something else, promising yourself a reward for the aftermath of Aunt Ginette!
• Try to resolve conflicts you have with other people. A resolved conflict is one less thing on your shoulders! You can not? So can you at least move on from this person and move on?
• Ask for help! Friends, family or a he althcare professional, it doesn't matter, the important thing is to talk about it and find a solution.solution. Whether it is through their advice or their listening, do not hesitate to call on those around you!
• Set realistic goals at work and at home. We must stop wanting to do more and more! We need reasonable limits!
• Exercise. Oh yes! Physical exercise and good body he alth go hand in hand! When the body is at its best, it reacts much better to stress.
• Relax yourself by participating in sports, social or leisure activities. Better yet: follow a meditation technique on DVD or CD. Taking advantage of every opportunity to put yourself in a relaxation position is like recharging the batteries of an appliance after long use!
• Learn to say no! Don't try to do more than you can. Say no if you don't have time to do what is asked of you. At work, but at home too!
• Change your perception: by perceiving change as a positive challenge and not as a threat, you will not face the situation as before and you will see surprising results!

There are plenty of books on coping with stress. Each brings a point of view on the issue and offers techniques to tame stress. There is no single, magic solution! Everyone has to find the one that works best for them.

That said, it is important to understand that some level of stress is normal and even desirable… It is often what will make us go for it, act andreact, whether in our daily activities or in exceptional situations. It's all in how you live with this stress and how you deal with it.

Children and stress

According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, children ages 0 to 6 can show emotions in general and stress in particular in several ways:

• Whine,
• Wetting the bed,
• Thumb sucking,
• Wanting to get caught, clinging to parents or guardians,
• Having disturbed sleep or disturbed appetite,
• Going angry,
• Be more restless,
• Be afraid in the dark,
• Experiencing headaches or stomachaches.

The CPS recommends seeking professional help if a child shows significant behavioral changes lasting more than two or three weeks, including:

• behavioral problems at home or at school,
• learning disabilities,
• tantrums,
• changes in usual social activities or play with other children,
• nightmares or other frequent sleep disturbances,
• persistent physical problems, such as stomach aches or headaches,
• persistent eating disorders, weight gain or loss,
• intense anxiety or fear,
• sadness or depression,
• a sense ofdespair about life or the future.