Most people have stress in their lives and if you are one of those people, you should consider getting the help of an LDS counselor to help you deal with the symptoms of stress before they cause real trouble in your life and in your relationships. Stress from work, from family, from life in general can be pretty overwhelming but it can be managed. Here’s what you need to know about stress and how to avoid it:
What Stress Does To Your Mind And Body
Stress can cause any number of psychological and physiological changes in your body. If you are suffering from stress without relief for long periods of time, you could have headaches, upset stomach, chest pain, an increase in blood pressure, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, depression, panic attacks and more. In addition, many people try to find outlets to relieve the stress they’re feeling; unfortunately, many of these outlets, like alcohol and drug consumption, gambling, smoking or overeating, lead to more problems and more stress.
What The Symptoms Of Stress Are
There are a multitude of symptoms that can indicate that stress is taking a toll on your body. Though you don’t have to have every symptom on the list, many of them can appear together. Aches and pains, teeth grinding, headaches, indigestion, increase in or loss of appetite, sweaty palms, fatigue, trembling or shaking, irritability and impatience are just some of the symptoms you may notice. Many of these symptoms are not immediately identifiable as being stress-related so it is important that you see a medical doctor to rule out health issues before you see an LDS counselor.
Ways To Ease Your Stress
Here are some ways you can help to relieve the stress in your life:
▪ Think about what’s causing you stress and take an active role in removing it from your life.
▪ Stand up for yourself but without being too defensive or angry.
▪ Keep a positive attitude and remember that you can’t control other people, just yourself.
▪ Exercise regularly to release happy hormones like endorphins and serotonin.
▪ Eat healthfully. Avoid excessive amounts of sugar and stick to fruits and vegetables.
▪ Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night.
▪ Make time for relaxing interests and hobbies.
▪ Spend time with non-stress-inducing loved ones.
▪ Take a stress-management course or talk to a counselor.
If you’re feeling stressed, get the help of an LDS counselor. Call me, Jody VanDrimmelen at Insight Child & Family Counseling, at (972) 426-9500 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit www.j9n.83e.myftpupload.com to find out more about my services.