Coping During Tough Times
You don’t have to be a doctor or scientist to recognize that the unsettling economy is taking a toll on the overall health of our community. Right now, people are anxious, fearful, overworked and financially unsure. Are you one of the many getting “stressed out?”
What is stress?
Stress happens when you experience an event or problem that exceeds your ability to cope. Not all stress is bad. Stress related to fear triggers responses that can keep us safe and stress from deadlines and responsibilities can sometimes motivate us to become more productive or effective. But negative stress can cause physical and emotional symptoms that can lead to discomfort, illness and disease.
What is causing your stress?
Take our Stress Score quiz to help determine the cause and level of your stress. After you’ve taken the quiz, did anything surprise you? Identifying the things that are causing stress in your life will help you determine the best ways to manage that stress.
Symptoms of unmanaged stress include:
- Headaches
- Upset Digestive System
- Muscle Tension
- Back Pain
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Change in Eating Habits/Emotional Eating
- Anxiety
- Damaged Self-Confidence
- Shortened Attention Span
- Lack of Focus or Attention
- Decreased Enjoyment of Life Events
- Irritability
- Mood changes
How do you manage stress?
There are many ways to manage stress. Here are some helpful suggestions for coping with stress:
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Talk to a family member, friend or pastor and ask for support
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Take 15-20 minutes of quiet time to breathe deeply
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Take a lunch break out of the office to separate yourself from work stress
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Count to 10 before responding to someone who makes you feel angry
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Don't use smoking, drinking, overeating, drugs or caffeine to cope with stress. These make things worse.
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Get a massage to release out tense back muscles
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Stretch regularly or take up yoga
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Exercise (take a group exercise class, workout at your nearest YMCA, swim laps, get encouragement from a fitness coach or personal trainer)
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Avoid fast food and foods that are high in fat and sugar
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Try journaling your thoughts. Putting fears down on paper will help you work them out in a productive way.
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Listen to music or draw to ease your mind.
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Organize and prioritize your responsibilities
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Don’t be afraid to say “no” when asked to take on more. Know that you have limits.
Sometimes a person’s stress level is too high to cope on their own. If you find yourself unable to manage stress on your own, seek the assistance of a mental health professional, counselor or support. Helping people is their specialty. Ask your doctor, spiritual leader, family and friends for recommendations.