STRESS IS THE BODY’S RESPONSE to a challenge or demand. Everyone experiences stress, which can be triggered by a range of events, from small daily hassles to major changes like a job loss or divorce. The stress response includes physical components such as an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, thoughts and personal beliefs about the stressful event, and emotions, including fear and anger. Although we often think of it as negative, stress can also come from positive changes in your life, like getting a promotion at work or having a new baby.
Stress and anxiety do have their functions if they are not experienced in excess. They push us to make necessary changes in our lives. They signal when we may be in danger, and inspire us to take action to get ourselves out of danger. In this way, feelings of stress and anxiety are healthy and necessary; without them, we may not act in our own best interest.
The point at which worry and anxiety become unhealthy is when they immobilize us rather than inspire us to act. Whether we’re worried about things in the future, or so stressed and anxious we can’t move forward, the stress takes a toll on our minds and bodies, and affects our health. Excessive or unmanaged anxiety can become unhealthy if it takes the form of an anxiety disorder, for example.
So now that you understand the nature of stress and anxiety a little better, we can focus on eliminating them. The best remedy for anxiety is self-examination and action. Here are some easy steps to follow:
- First, look inside. What is causing you to worry? Ask yourself this question and think carefully about your answer. Be specific. Writing in a journal or talking to a friend about it can help you sort out your feelings. Then decide what action, if any, should be taken. Try to figure out what part of the situation is under your control. Assess the problem to see whether the threat is real, or if you are blowing it out of proportion. If the problem is just a hypothetical situation or a worse-case scenario, decide if it is really likely that your fears will actually come to fruition.
- Next, come up with a plan that tackles the part of the problem that is under your control. Taking action to protect yourself is a good way to channel nervous energy and provides reassurance against your fears. It is, in most cases, the healthiest response to realistic fears and worries. You may not be able to fix the entire problem, but even taking some steps toward improving your situation can significantly minimize your anxiety.
- Once you have done all you can, just let it go. Like everything in life, this is easier said than done, but with practice, you can get pretty adept at letting go of excessive levels of stress and anxiety. You can do this by focusing on something else, reminding yourself of the solutions you have worked on, or trying some stress management strategies that can help you feel more centered and at peace, such as prayer or meditation, journaling about your feelings, or listening to music. Getting regular exercise has been found to be especially helpful in combating the physical effects of anxiety and stress.
- If you still find yourself concerned on a constant basis, you may want to talk to someone about it, either a fried or a professional, depending how severe your worry is ad how much it is affecting your overall stress level.
Part 2 of 2, to be posted on April 15, will cover How We Can Handle Stress In Healthy Ways.
For a list of fast-acting stress relief strategies that work at home and long tern stress relief strategies for lasting health, use the mail below to request that list. Thank you … and take care of yourself.
