Coping with stress
Not all types of stress are harmful. A challenge can be beneficial and stimulating, whereas having too little work or responsibility can be just as stressful as having too much. The trick is to find the right level, so that stress does not become a problem in your life.
Stress can damage your health
Stress may play a part in a wide range of health problems, including:
- physical conditions such as migraines, headaches, muscular tension, increased susceptibility to colds and other infections, menstrual disorders for women
- respiratory and digestive disorders
- high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke
- mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and nervous breakdown
Are you stressed?
Do you:
- feel near to tears much of the time?
- find it hard to concentrate and make decisions?
- shout at people around you at home or at work?
- feel tired most of the time?
- have no interest in sex?
- sleep badly?
- feel stretched beyond your limits at the end of the day?
- drink and smoke more to help you get through the day?
- feel that you just can't cope?
- eat when you're not hungry?
- feel that you've achieved nothing of value at the end of the day?
If you answer 'yes' to more than four of these questions, stress may have become a problem for you.
Simple steps to coping with stress
The first step is to recognise what is causing the stress and explore ways of changing it. For example:
- organise your time by making a list of what is most and least urgent, and do things in that order. Don't take on more than you can handle
- take regular exercise - gentle, rhythmic exercise like swimming, walking or jogging releases the tension caused by stress
- try to avoid harmful ways of coping with stress such as drinking, smoking or compulsive eating (they may seem to relieve stress, but in the long run they add to it and lead to poor health)
- learn to relax
If any symptoms persist, go to see your GP.
