| Did you know that stress can make you sick? I | | | | Finally, try to distract your mind from the stress by |
| mean physically sick, not mentally sick. Most of the | | | | different activities. There are many ways to relax |
| time when we are stressed, we say things like "I'm | | | | your mind, meditation and self-hypnosis are a couple. |
| sick and tired" and that could be a lot truer than we | | | | If that's not your cup of tea, you could try listening |
| think. | | | | to relaxing music. Those are just some of the very |
| When the body undergoes stress, your immune | | | | simple ways to relieve your stress. |
| system begins to drop and the body becomes more | | | | Now let's move on to what we can do to minimize |
| open to germs leading to unwanted illnesses. Have | | | | stress in our lives. Time management is something |
| you ever wondered why so many high school and | | | | you start to get a better grasp of as you grow |
| college students often have a cold or the flu around | | | | older. However, the majority of the adult world often |
| midterm and finals time? Maybe you have noticed | | | | has no concept of time management which can lead |
| that many of your co-workers will get sick when | | | | to high levels of stress especially in the work place. |
| there is a really big deadline that needs to be met. | | | | We really should put some effort into prioritizing our |
| Not to worry, and I mean that literally. There are a | | | | schedule so that we have an agenda and we are not |
| number of ways that you can avoid stress. As much | | | | just scrambling around like a lost soul in the dark, |
| as we dread or dislike doing this you have to | | | | stressing about what you think you have to do next. |
| exercise. Working out is one of the most effective | | | | This next one is a tough one. You should try to find |
| stress managements techniques there is. The | | | | an effective way of dealing with stress. By that I |
| exercise doesn't have to be an intense cardio | | | | mean that you should figure out what works and |
| workout. In fact, taking a 30 minute walk will suffice. | | | | what doesn't work for you in reducing your stress |
| Your local park will usually have a walking or bike | | | | levels. I mentioned this before, and here it is again. |
| path. Just try it out. As long as you can clear your | | | | You have to be healthy. That means you have to |
| head of all the things that you think about during the | | | | eat right, sleep well, and limit your alcoholic and |
| day, you're good to go. | | | | smoking intake. That might sound like a sacrifice but |
| After we leave school, we tend to forget to do | | | | it works. Try to make strong relationships with your |
| something really basic, something that is intrinsic to | | | | family and friends. Studies have shown that those |
| our educational learning. Believe it or not, writing can | | | | that have a strong personal network or support |
| relieve large amounts of stress. Expressing yourself in | | | | system can deal with stress a lot better than those |
| the written form can reduce your stress level. You | | | | who don't. Finally, minimize or stop all together those |
| don't have to be a writer, just try it anyway. | | | | thoughts that cause stress. Work on your problem |
| Everyday for a week, just write about anything and | | | | solving and you could feel so much better. |
| everything that comes to mind. Don't want your | | | | In terms of evaluating stress levels, there are a |
| hand to cramp up from holding the pen so hard? | | | | variety of causes. Your stress level could be based |
| Then type it out on your computer. You can keep it | | | | on your family genetics, how much family support |
| to yourself or you can post online, there are many | | | | you have, your own attitude, or your ability to |
| blog websites out there. If you read other peoples | | | | bounce back. Ultimately, your level of stress depends |
| blogs, you'll realize you are not alone. Still not | | | | on how you perceive it and how long you let it last. |
| convinced that writing does the trick? If you are | | | | There are a few ways to evaluate your stress level. |
| creative in anyway, do what expresses you and your | | | | You can go the professional route and talk to a |
| feelings. If you were a musician before, then try | | | | counselor about it. Or you can check online, there are |
| playing; a painter, then get some canvases; a singer, | | | | many stress level calculators on the Internet. |
| then find some music you like and sing along. There | | | | As mentioned before, stress can affect your physical |
| are endless ways a creative mind can relieve itself | | | | self. The more stress you have, the more likely you |
| from stress. | | | | are to get sick because stress affects your heart |
| We should never be afraid to express ourselves. I | | | | and blood vessels, nervous system and immune |
| was once told that it is okay to have a healthy | | | | system. The most common stress related issues are |
| crying session every now and then. If you feel like | | | | coronary artery disease, asthma and diabetes. Stress |
| talking instead, call up that best friend or that sibling | | | | can also take it's toll on your emotions. You can |
| and speak your mind. Are you feeling angry? It is | | | | become depressed, and as a result moody, anxious, |
| okay to feel angry, it really is. Emotions are a | | | | and difficult to deal with. |
| necessary part of being human so do not deny | | | | When we are stressed, our body releases hormones |
| yourself that because if you do, you will stress out. | | | | that increase your heart rate and respiratory system. |
| Relax your body-center. I know that may sound a | | | | The body then begins to prepare itself for danger |
| little bit crazy, but body-centered relaxation is a lot | | | | and this is referred to as the "fight-for-flight" stress |
| more common than you think. Yoga, massage | | | | response. It can go unnoticed or it can be extreme. |
| therapy, aromatherapy, and breathing exercises are | | | | The more stress we have, the less likely it is we will |
| different forms of body-centered relaxation. I bet | | | | feel good, physically and mentally. So try to eliminate |
| that sounds better than exercise right now, doesn't | | | | that problem by not stressing out of problems most |
| it? | | | | of us have no control over. |