Stress is one of the primary health issues today, with the American Psychological Association (APA) announcing that one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress, and nearly half of Americans (48 percent) believe that their stress has increased over the past five years.
A hectic work schedule, family commitments, extracurricular activities, and a host of other personal projects are just a few of the numerous concerns people have to cope with today. Unfortunately, these could affect your mental and physical health, weighing you down to extreme stress levels if not managed properly.
Apart from contributing to poor relationships and reduced productivity at work, multiple studies have shown that chronic stress can lead to depression, memory loss, weight gain, and premature death. This is why it is vital to learn practical ways to manage your stress.
What Are Some Warning Signals of Stress?
A lot of people going through stress do not know they are. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a bout of anxiety.
Depending on the severity, you may need to talk to a medical professional or practice the stress management tips we’d be dishing out subsequently.
- Extended periods of poor sleep
- Frequent and unexplained severe headaches
- Mysterious weight gain or loss
- Feelings of isolation or incompetence
- Frequent mood swings, irritability, or anger
- Constant worrying or overthinking
Best Ways To Cope With Stress
The first step to managing stress is recognizing stressful situations as they occur and then taking active measures to prevent or reduce them. Here are some tips that could prove helpful.
1. Balance your schedule
It would help if you created a balance between the time you spend at the office and home. All work and no play helps no one. As such, learn to create more space in your schedule to participate in fun activities and events.
2. Engage in regular exercise
A great way to reduce stress is by indulging in gentle exercises. For example, taking a short walk or jog each morning, doing push-ups and pull-ups, cycling, and even swimming helps balance the nervous system.
3. Eat well and reduce alcohol consumption
A lot of people rely on alcohol and stimulants to relieve stress. However, while temporal, this method of relief can pose adverse effects to your health.
To help you cope better:
- Replace alcohol with balanced meals.
- Make sure you eat breakfast each day.
- Take a lot of fruits, vegetables, and water.
And very importantly, try as much as possible to avoid processed foods. Your body will only withstand stressful conditions when it is healthy.
4. Spend time with caring people
Words from supportive companions go a long way in releasing stress hormones. So, create time to talk face-to-face with people who care about you. If you have a pet you adore, it could also be a perfect support partner or go-to source for stress relief and relaxation.
5. Create time for your hobbies
We all have activities that help us unwind and relax. It could be listening to music, cooking, painting, or gardening. Whichever yours is, please make time to enjoy it. hobbies are a great escape route.
6. Get Enough Rest
Health experts have recommended 7-8 hours as the ideal sleep duration for adults. This means if you get less than this, you are putting your body in a disadvantaged position to tolerate stress.
7. Go for a vacation
Another way to manage stress is to get away from it all, perhaps through a mini vacation. You could even go one step further by leaving your electronic gadgets at home. Taking a period to relax improves your mental and emotional states.
8. Visit a medical professional
Your health and wellness are essential. Hence, you should seek professional help at a walk-in medical care facility if your stress levels do not improve even after trying. At FCMC, we have medical professionals that can proffer changes to your lifestyle to help you better cope with stress.
So book an appointment with us today to get started!