COPING WITH STRESS

 Stress is your body's response to all forms of tension and strain. It could be physical, emotional or mental tension. It's the body way of saying " I am tired ".

Stress is a normal part of life but individual responses to it varies and these responses contribute a great deal to our overall well being.          For some people, a sign of tiredness is the needed cue to stop work immediately while for some they dismiss it with a wave of hand and continue pushing themselves. Unfortunately the body has its own breaking point,  beyond this point it starts malfunctioning. 

General causes of Stress

# Work Stress: The deadlines, crazy work schedules,  unending meetings, seminars, all  take its toll on the body. We have heard of people who passed out during business meetings or behind the steering wheel. This is not to paint a fright picture but to emphasize the fact that work stress has its negative impact on the body.

# Dysfunctional relationships: This not only affects the psychological state it also affects the emotional health. Toxic relationships is exhausting and so stressful to the mind. 

# Financial  Issues: Everybody gets worked up if their numbers don't match. I know I do. 

# Overwhelming responsibility: We all have to be responsible for our lives, but some responsibilities are way beyond easy. For instance paying the bills of some relatives,  having to take care of a sick loved one can be so tiring and demanding. It's purely natural to feel stressed.

Note: Not all stress are harmful, chronic stress is the harmful one.

Simple Ways to Cope with Stress

1. Therapy: When people hear therapy they shrink at  the thought. (It's so funny I used the word shrink) You necessarily do not need to visit a therapist except it's a chronic stress case that is actually messing with your mind and it calls for professional help.

So in this case I recommend, Music,  movies, bonding with loved ones as the basic therapeutic measures you can adopt. 

2. Enough Sleep: Minimum of 8 hours sleep is the doctor's recommendation. Sleep well. Sleep naked if you must!

3. Develop healthy eating habits. Eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce or stop alcohol intake,  stop eating junks and drink more water.

4. Connect with genuinely supportive people. Be very selective of who you confide in. Look out for empathetic people to hang with.

5. Be intentional about enjoying life, do things that make happy. Enjoy your me time. 

6. Create a balance between work,  yourself and family. Let your employers or the people you work with, know you do not joke with your health and family. 

Try out these steps and give me feedback.

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