I ignored stress for a long time and it caused havoc to my body and mind
Everyone suffers from a certain amount of stress in their lives. In fact, some would say that stress is a normal part of life. I used to falsely believe that all stress was motivating so I ignored the affects of stress on my body for quite a long time. I’ve now come to believe that some forms of stress can be beneficial, for instance when it keeps us alert in the face of danger. However, the stress that I chose to ignore caused harm to our body and mind, and before I knew it, I was suffering from heart palpitations, adrenal issues and resort to prescription medication purchased online via a Canadian pharmacy so that I could get a few lousy hours of sleep.
What I didn’t know then and do know now is that stress is actually the body’s physical, mental or emotional reaction to any situational change that requires a response, including things like:
- A stressful event
- A continuous challenge without relief
- A muscle stress that you’ve put on your body
- A pressing stress that constantly dominates your thoughts
- A stressful reaction due to a dangerous or frightening situation
- An overworked mind
- A tense atmosphere
In my own life, I had been diagnosed with Chrons Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, that left me weak, sick and wasting away. Instead of facing the situation head on and taking back control, I wallowed in self-pity and self-consciousness. How did my body react? My symptoms only got worse, and like any human body experiencing prolonged amounts of stress with no sign of relief, a negative stress reaction was created, called distress, and I experienced resulting symptoms, like:
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Gas or bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain or tightening
- Insomnia
- Forgetfulness
- Depression
- Muscle tension/pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of sex drive
- Anxiety
- Lack of focus
- Irritability
- Over-eating or under-eating
- Social withdraw
You can imagine the sad state I was in. Even though I didn’t resort to this, stress only becomes worse when people resort to addictive behaviors like alcohol or drugs for escape. Unfortunately, drinking and drugs keep the body in a stressed state, which can eventually lead to more serious conditions—such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome and severe depression. And I did become severly depressed.
How I coped with stress naturally
1. Take a walk
Research from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows that taking a 10 minute break to walk during the day not only reduces repetitive stress; it also allows you to unwind, reset and actually increases productivity once you return to work. I walk quite often when I’m feeling the stress intensify.
2. Say no more often
Piling more and more onto your shoulders hardly does anything for your stress level or your spinal health. I had to force myself to get in the habit of taking on only as much as I could handle—then saying no to the rest. I soon learned that a raise or promotion just isn’t worth it when I never get time to breathe or energy to do the things I loved to do.
3. Adopt the “cup is half full” mentality
Now I don’t dwell on the negative; instead I look at the bright side of life. I found that once my focus was on the positive things in life, I was more motivated and confident.
4. Take a breather
Meditate, do yoga, or just close your eyes and breathe deeply. I find that a few rounds of deep breathing will slow my heart rate and stress level considerably.
5. Some help please?
When you need it, don’t be afraid to ask for help. This was the hardest one for me. However, now I delegate or work in groups to finish an overwhelming work project. That way everyone feel a sense of accomplishment.
6. Celebrate life’s accomplishments
Now I’m in the habit of rewarding instead of punishing myself. I treat myself to a massage if I work too much and a go see a friend after I’ve recouped from a cold for a little social time.
7. Support healthy digestion
Many people with ongoing stress literally feel it in the gut, especially people like myself. This is because when the brain suffers stress, it interacts with the rest of the body through the nervous system, which helps regulate digestion. In times of heavy stress, digestion may slow or even stop completely. Consult your doctor to see if you should be taking prescription medication for irritable bowel syndrome or other stress-related ailments.
Bernice Spradlin is an avid hiker and runner. She works at a gym in Brooklyn, New York, where she gets great inspiration for her freelance health-related articles and blogs. In her off time, you can often find Bernice jogging the East River path along the waterfront and enjoying the cool breeze. Bernice is currently looking for freelance writing work, and can be contacted at [email protected].
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