STRESS! We all experience it, but did you know that stress may be affecting your health? Stress symptoms can affect your body, as well as your thoughts and feelings. If left unchecked, stress can lead to many health problems, like high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.
Effects of stress on mood:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Problems with focus
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability
- Sadness or depression
Effects of stress on your body:
- Headaches
- Muscle Tension
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Sleep problems
- Change in sex drive
Everyone experiences stress every now and then. It is a natural reaction to life experiences. Many different things can trigger stress, such as work, family, or even serious life events such as death or a diagnosis. For short-term situations, stress can be beneficial. Your central nervous system (CNS) is in charge of your “fight or flight” response. Your hypothalamus gets the ball rolling by communicating to your adrenal glands to release stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. These hormone increase your heart rate and send blood to the vital parts of your body, such as muscles, heart, etc. When the perceived threat is gone, the hypothalamus tells all systems to go back to normal. However, if your stress levels are elevated for too long then this can have a negative impact on your health.
THERE ARE SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR STRESS ON A DAILY BASIS.
- Take a breath
- Take a time out
- Use positive self-talk
- Think of something happy
- Express your feelings to someone
- Think about someone you love
Hum your favorite song- Schedule time for yourself
- Visualize your favorite place
- Practice yoga
Blog written by Jennie Fincher, Ph.D., LPC-S
North Texas Counseling Associates 