Help manage stress with these simple-to-use tools
Stress. Many of us are overwhelmed by it. How many times in the last week - or even in the last day - have you been stressed out? There are so many modern day stressors that can get you worked up. Some of the big ones include stress caused by problems with finances, family or health.
The "little" ones can add up too. They may include telemarketers who call you in the middle of dinner, traffic gridlock, poor customer service, or even sorting through junk mail. Even a barking dog or the ticking of a loud clock can get you upset.
The World Health Organization has called stress a "modern day epidemic, affecting every person, in every nation, regardless of race or class." Several studies have shown that stress has become the number one cause of absenteeism in the workplace.
When your stress levels go up, your enjoyment of life - and your health go down. Stress can never be completely eliminated because it's part of normal life. However, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your stress in check.
Stress from finances - how it affects you and what you can do to minimize it Money is one of the biggest causes of stress. For many of us, there never seems to be enough of it. Open up a newspaper or watch the TV news and problems with the economy seems to dominate. Housing prices are down and gas prices are up. A recession could be looming. You're probably wondering - how is it all going to affect me and my family? You may be even more worried if you're living on a fixed income.
Financial stress can often lead to many different health problems, especially depression. Sometimes financial stress leads to unhealthy behaviors. People dealing with financial stress are more likely to ease their stresses and anxieties through smoking, drinking and overeating. Financial stress can negatively affect your health in other ways:
Less money for self care People with less money tend to cut back on such essentials as health care to pay for basic necessities like food and shelter. Small problems can go unresolved, leading to much bigger health care problems.
Lost sleep
People under financial stress often have a hard time sleeping. This sleep deficit can harm the immune system and brain functions, creating moodiness and even illnesses.
Unhealthy emotions
Credit card and other debts can cause negative emotions such as anxiety, frustration and hopelessness. These motions can take a major toll on health as the debt piles up.
Here's how you can help your financial situation and lower your stress levels
Find out where you stand Determine whether your money problem is one that needs minor adjustments or is really out of control. That will help you decide how much help you need to get on the right track.
Organize your finances with a budget Create a budget that fits with your lifestyle. Then stick to it to make sure you reach your budget goals.
Work towards getting out of debt You'll need a plan to get out from under debt. You might want to consider credit counseling with a professional company - but be careful to do your homework! There are unscrupulous companies out there that take advantage of people with money problems.
How to deal with family stress You've heard the old expression, "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family." As much as you might love your family, relatives are often one of the main stressors in life. Sometimes parents and grandparents over-worry when they feel they have to act as perfect role models for their children. Regardless of the reason, you have to let go of the stress.
As a parent you can provide a good education for your children and take care of all their material needs. However, you can't be there for them 24/7. Children or grandchildren need to make their own mistakes and learn from them. You can talk to your children, keep the lines of communication open and comfort them when needed. Let your children know you're there for them. However, don't let them dominate and completely take over your life. Sometimes you just have to say "no" to their demands. You need a "kid-free" time for yourself and regular breaks from your responsibilities as a parent or grandparent. One suggestion: arrange a regular "date night" or days-off for yourself.
Make simple changes for a less stressful life
You can make a real difference in controlling your daily stress and adding to your quality of life.
Here are some methods of achieving it:
maintain an organized living space A cluttered environment can drain your energy and cause additional stress. Work on de-cluttering your home, improving your cleaning habits and creating a more organized living space.
Organize your time
Keep a schedule and learn to say no to excessive demands on your time. You'll be less frantic and have more time to do the things that energize and de-stress you.
cultivate supportive friends
Studies show that in times of crisis, those who can talk to, lean on and get support from others (a partner, a friend or a social circle) lead healthier, less stressful lives. Try to enlist others into your own support group to help you through tough times. The payoff is well worth the effort.
take better care of yourself
A healthy body is better able to handle the stresses of modern life. On the other hand, an unhealthy body can cause large amounts of additional stress. Eat a healthy diet, take daily supplements, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and pamper yourself every once in a while. These are all good ways to take care of yourself and de-stress your life.
exercise
Physical exercise promotes overall fitness plus it helps you better handle emotional stress and tension. There are many great stress-relieving exercises that can help you release tension from your body and stress from your mind. Your local gym, an exercise book or even some TV shows are good sources for finding the right physical exercises.
relaxation, meditation and prayer There are also many relaxation and meditation techniques to help control stress and improve your physical and mental well-being. These techniques can be learned through books or online tutorials. Many people also find comfort in prayer. Read more about this in the your Body,
If you hold on to stress rather than releasing it, the stress will negatively affect you long after the experience has ended. You can better manage daily stress by taking regular breaks from it. Make a point of incorporating the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness in your daily life.
By finding and using stress-relieving practices in your daily life, you will be better prepared to handle the many everyday stresses. The result will be a happier, more healthy you.
Thanks
French Montreville
fmontreville@yahoo.com
1-617-487-4340
http://www.myempoweringteam.ws/
French S. Montreville, Independent TriVita Business Affiliate, Trivita ID# 13011183
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