STRESS MANAGEMENT By Mehvish Manzoor

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress is a reaction your body experiences as a result of a demanding circumstance or event that requires immediate action and attention. Specifically, this reason causes your nervous system to produce hormones (aderaline and cortisol) and result in quickened breathing, afaster heartbeat, tightening muscles and even a sudden burst of energy. Stress management is a process for controlling and individual level of stress. Stress management may include practicing daily meditation, identifying relaxing activities(which may different for every individual) or a combination of multiple techniques. Stress management is important because chronic stress can wreak havoc on your bodies immune system and contribute to health problems such as tension headaches, migraine headaches, insomnia, weight gain, depression, anxiety, digestive problems and even heart diseases. Both acute and chronic stress impact memory and concentration, making effective stress management Crucial  for optimal day to day functioning.

BENEFITS OF  STRESS MANAGEMENT:

Stress often has a negative connotation, but it is actually useful and necessary .Stress can make you more aware of your surroundings, increase your focus, give you needed energy to complete a pending task and even supply your body with the extra ordinary ability to handle and emergency. Your body’s intended purpose for stress  is therefore, a naturally good and beneficial one. Stress is a physical response by your body designed to help you. Stress exists to provide your body  with the tools needed to  effectively react  to unplanned, challenging circumstances. Stress should be reserved for these special circumstances and consequently, occur infrequently. Unfortunately, people can experience stress quite frequently in their lives; thus, spurring on many problems associated with overall  health.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS

Stress become a problem  when it operates out of its natural, intended purpose; that is, when it occurs frequently and over a long period of time. The body will still produce hormones and experience the same effects of stress-rapid heartbeat, tightening muscles, fast breathing-no matter how often the stress occurs.

Therefore, if people experience stress nearly every day; their hearts muscles, digestive and immune systems will endure negative consequences. People who experience chronic stress can suffer from high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heartburn, headaches, and viral illness. Stress can have very serious health consequences and therefore, needs to be managed effectively.

HOW TO MANAGE STRESS EFFECTIVELY

Stress management is having  the ability to recognize situations that may cause stress, in order to use strategies to prevent the stress from occurring. Stress management also means setting up your life in a way that the opportunity for stress is unlikely to occur. The best approach to stress management is different from person to person, depending on the stressors that impact the individual and how each individual responds to various coping techniques. Thankfully, there are many known strategies that are widely used and very effective when it comes to managing stress.

SOME EFFECTIVE STRESS MANAGENT TIPS AND TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:

Time management: Time  constraints can trigger stress in people’s lives. Schedules often become overloaded, causing people to feel overwhelmed. In order to alleviate this kind of stress, making a list of priorities can help your schedule become more manageable  and possible to complete.

Self awareness: Knowing your personal limits is crucial because being pushed outside of your personal limitations, can cause unneeded stress. What some people consider a busy schedule, others do not. Some people are equipped to handle multiple  tasks while others need a simpler schedule. Therefore, you need to be aware of your boundaries, according to your personality and value system. Eliminate things in your life that do not line up with what you personally can handle so that you experience stress less often.

Healthy diet: maintaining good nutrition can help both your mind and body function well and give you the ability to cope with every day demands better. When your body receives its necessary nutrients and proper fuel, stress is less likely to accompany everyday tasks.

Exercise: Committing to a consistent exercise routine allows your body to release tension and  even relax its muscles, benefiting your physical well-being. Taking steps to support good health gives you the ability to focus on life’s responsibilities without added pressure or stress.

Healthy sleep habits: Adequate sleep is important for  allowing your body time to repair and rejuvenate, which helps with mental alertness, memory, and concentration, and also boosts immune strength. Going to bed at the same time each night, eliminating distractions such as television and mobile devices, and aiming fir seven  to eight hours of sleep each night are best practices for healthy sleep.

“IT IS NOT STRESS THAT KILLS US,IT IS OUR REACTION TO IT”

                                                         Elbert Hubbard