Stress or anxiety is something everyone has experienced at one point in their lives. If you’re breathing, chances are you already know what it feels like to be stressed.
There’s no way around it, and it’s only natural to have the symptoms from time to time. Unfortunately, stress and anxiety are never going away. But what can you do to cope on a daily basis? In this article, we'll share some facts about stress, what causes it, and what you can do to identify and understand it better.
Unchecked stress can cause significant harm to our personal and professional lives. No matter what obstacle you’re facing at the moment, there are several things you can do to take control over stress and live a more balanced life.
Facts About Stress: What’s the Cause?
Identifying the cause or stressor presents the first step in taking charge of your anxiety.
Stress looks different to different people, but the symptoms are often similar. Struggling with insomnia, persistent headaches, or even a sudden change in appetite could all indicate that you’re feeling stressed or anxious.
How to Cope with Stress and/or Anxiety?
There are several stress relief solutions you can try. Here are some easy techniques you may follow in the comfort of your own home or cubicle at work:
- Breathe: It’s true. Just taking a couple of deep breaths and regrouping has been shown to have an immediate positive effect on mood and energy.
- Meditate: In a 2014 study by Harvard Medical School, researchers found that meditating during the workday resulted in a significant drop in stress-inducing hormones and overall anxiety. Imagining yourself assuming the Lotus position at your work desk might make you laugh, but the truth is that meditation doesn’t have to be a physical exercise. Here’s a more detailed explanation on how to meditate.
- Rest: It should come as no surprise that getting enough sleep has, perhaps, the most significant impact on our health. For many people though, going to sleep isn’t that easy. If that’s the case for you, try reading this article for tips on how to get a better night sleep.
- Be Realistic: It’s impossible to control every situation we encounter. Accepting that fact can be tough though. Realizing when something is outside our control can be the difference between owning the stress and letting the stress own us. Easing the pressure we put on ourselves allows us to focus on specific tasks and problems that we can manage. The “big picture” is a process. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “do what you can with what you have where you are.”
What if All That Doesn’t Work?
It’s not uncommon at all for those who suffer from overwhelming stress or anxiety to seek professional help. Medicine and/or therapy may be the necessary next step if your stress or anxiety just won’t go away. If it applies to you, seek assistance. Many health insurance plans cover both psychology and psychiatry services.