Keeping up with a hectic lifestyle is a constant source of stress for all of us. Personally, I juggle two hours a day of commuting, working in a professional environment, and then somehow managing to update a few Web sites in my spare time and keep my relationships going with friends and family.
That feeling you get, when your forehead rests in your hands, a deadline is looming, and the concept of vacation seems unimaginably distant, is stress. And stress, for some of us, might be once in a while, every weekend or even every tired evening. But you need to know that you are not alone when it comes to being stressed out. ZenQ is here to help!
You can and must beat the stress to avoid several ailments attached to it.
The baggage that comes with stress
Stress is not only a state of poor mental health, but in the long run also a steady factor contributing to:
- major physical illnesses;
- poor eating habits leading to weight gains and metabolic problems such as constipation and irritable bowels;
- high blood pressure and out-of-control heart rates, which could cause heart attacks;
- continuous chronic headaches which evolve into migraines; and
- instability in dealing with day-to-day life, which in critical cases, can result in panic attacks and hyperventilation.
Stress can be dealt with
Now don’t let that information get you even more stressed out! Although it’s practically impossible to remove stress completely from our lives, we can certainly work on improving the way we handle stressful situations.
The first step in stress-busting is realizing the source of stress. Is it at work? If so, how about taking an afternoon off to clear up the clutter on your desk so you can find what you’re looking for. This is a great way of minimizing stress at work. If this doesn’t help, then hang a few pictures and brighten up your workplace. Make your chair more comfortable and change your desktop to something that makes you smile. Quite often, stress from work makes your mind wander; creating a to-do list, urging yourself to participate more in meetings, and asking the right questions can do you a world of good.
Are you stressed because of a traumatic event in your personal life? Do you find yourself spending sleepless nights thinking about it and spacing out during your routine? If so, get it off your chest by sharing your experience with a close friend whom you trust. Maintaining a journal is another way of confiding and perhaps resolving these experiences. Try indulging in a hobby as a way of focusing your talents on a positive activity. Also, take time out to meditate or go for a walk or a jog in the park. Channel your thoughts in a way which doesn’t let the problem take over your life.
Forget stress, live your life
Besides all these strategies to cope with stress, focus on eating healthy and getting regular exercise. Certain foods, like papayas, almonds, oatmeal and salmon, actually help you beat stress.
Whatever is causing you stress can be made temporary. Take proper care of yourself – physically and mentally — and bust those stressful blues away!
