The answer to fighting stress varies depending on the source of stress. So it is much important for us to know more about stress so we can identify which of our activities cause our stresses so we can avoid/prevent it. Many of us belittle or just ignore these stresses but tolerating it would not make our lives better… just shorter.

Stress is a physical or emotional state that causes strains that can lead to physical illness. When we are in stress, our endocrine glands releases hormones that can cause increase in perspiration, dilated pupils, slow digestion, increase in heartbeat and respiration. But these are just our body’s reaction as its natural defense against stress. It will repair any damage caused by these alarm reactions. However, constant exposure to stress will weaken our body’s immune system, making us prone to diseases/disorders and worst, even to death.

SOURCES OF STRESS

Life events/situations – death of loved ones/family problems/financial difficulties

Work-related problems and being workaholic

Personal problems – lost love, relationship conflicts, frustrations, disappointments and many others

STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS/DISEASES/INJURIES

Headaches, facial pain, migraine, insomnia, asthma, stomach ulcers, gastro-intestinal problems, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, backache, increase susceptibility to colds and cancers. It can also aggravate/worsen a skin disorder or a pre-existing physical disorder/disease.

WHY WE SHOULD FIGHT STRESS

Aside from saving our money from buying prescribed medicines to cure our stress-related illnesses, we don’t want to look ugly. Further, if we have so many things we still want to do in life or if we have not yet fulfilled our aspirations, it’s best to take care of ourselves better or we would never have a greater chance of realizing our dreams.

COPING WITH STRESS

When we are exposed to great/constant stress, our immune system weakens, giving way to sickness/diseases. But when we do something to cope up with stress, our body system returns to normal. Here are some ways on how to cope with stress.

1. Mild symptoms of stress can be cured by relaxation. There are many ways to relax like:

a. Sing your lungs out.

Try singing while bathing or enjoy KTV with your friends.

b. Sweat it out.

Do your favorite exercise like brisk walking in a nice park, running barefoot on a beach sand, swimming, belly/pole dancing, weight lifting etc.

c. Feed your mind.

Read books or magazines and find topics/articles which you can relate to. Pick up positive thoughts.

Surf the web. Research on things you want to know about. Download free games, music, and software from legitimate websites.

d. Revive your dying social life.

Find a long-lost friend in Friendster, Facebook, Multiply, Tweeter etc. Go out and rebind with your old friends that you have missed from being workaholic.

2. Some stress-related disorders can be controlled with drugs, of course with the guidance and prescription of a doctor. Don’t self-medicate, many have died doing so.

3. Combination of physical exercise & psychological therapy are sometimes recommended but more often, permanent changes in lifestyle or working methods or even a temporary change or break such as a holiday, may be helpful in relieving stress.

Learn more about stress and how to cope with it, click here.