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HAVE A NICE
JOKE
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Signs of stress
What are some of the
signs of stress? Here's a list of possible signs and symptoms of
stress from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP):
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Constipation or
diarrhea
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- High blood
pressure
- Insomnia
- Problems with
relationships
- Shortness of
breath
- Stiff neck
- Upset stomach
- Weight gain or
loss
If you recognize
yourself or someone you love in the list, it may be time to slow down.
There are things you can do to reduce your stress. Once again
suggestions from AAFP:
- Let go of the
things you have no control over and take action to control the
things you can.
- Be prepared when
you know things are going to be stressful.
- Work to resolve
conflicts with other people.
- Don't be afraid to
seek help from others including friends, family or professionals.
- Be realistic about
what you can accomplish.
- Get a life; there
are things to do outside of work like group sports, social
activities and hobbies.
- Exercise; it will
help get rid of pent-up energy and tension and it will make you
healthier overall. Talk to your doctor about exercise programs
before you begin.
- Meditate; deep
breathing relaxes the body.
If you think you are
under stress, ask for help. Most experts agree that it's important to
understand that stress is a very real threat to our mental and
physical well-being. Ideally, we should to be able to find balance
between work and personal life, get enough support from friends and
family, and be able to develop a positive outlook. That's not always
easy. But the benefits in terms of mental and physical health can be
worth it.
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COPING WITH WORKPLACE STRESS |
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LAUGHTER |
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Job stressors pile up in
unpredictable or uncontrollable situations. Stress can be caused by a
demanding client base or supervisor, heavy workloads or tight
scheduling or decisions made in which the employee has little or no
input but it adversely impacts their job. The serious aspect of work
is a constant. But if people can develop a humorous perspective, a
great deal of serious work can be accomplished in a lighthearted way.
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EXERCISE |
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Dear Alice,
Does exercise really reduce stress? I recently took a new job that is
very high stress, and I need a release. My friend says I should take
up mountain biking, that it will reduce my stress (and keep me from
gaining weight at this desk job). Thanks for the great page.
Dear Reader,
A high-impact yes to your question! In fact, Alice can't think
of many better pursuits for stress reduction than exercise, for
several reasons. First, let's make sure we're on the same treadmill
about our definition of "exercise
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PROPER DIET |
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Taking care of your body
is very important--especially when you're stressed. What you eat-- or
don't eat-- can make a difference in how you feel and your ability to
cope with stress. Nourishing food is
important, just as sleep, relaxation, cleanliness, and exercise are
important. Mary Darling, nutritionist with the University of Minnesota
Extension Service, says supplements, vitamins, or tonics are promoted
as being helpful when it comes to handling stress.
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RELAXATION |
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Sometimes just saying "I need to relax
more" isn't enough. Structured programs combining elements of mental
and physical relaxation can offer a way to learn to relax through
coaching, lessons, or individual practice. Ranging from the martial
arts to meditation, structured relaxation programs have been used in
psychotherapy and as adjuvant therapies for many chronic medical
conditions.
Learn more |
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