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Stress
Management Tips and FAQ's
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Who
doesn't
suffer from stress? It's more than just a feeling of being overwhelmed,
it affects the chemistry of your entire body. If you
don't
find ways to manage it or get rid of it, it could eventually lead to a
variety of
diseases.
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What is stress?
 The
most basic definition is that it is any physical or emotional
challenge that causes our body to adapt in a healthy manner. Another
word commonly used to describe this is worry or anxiety.
When you are being attacked by a wild animal (a physical challenge),
your body chemistry will
dramatically change so that you are prepared and able to either "fight"
or
"flight". It has survival value and that's what this response was
designed to do.
However, in today's fast-paced, high-demand society, we are being
physically and emotionally challenged constantly. It is never ending!
This is what is called chronic stress. And it is not good for your
health.
When you hear someone say that they are "stressed out", they are
referring to chronic stress. This condition is strongly
linked to heart
disease, hives and rashes. It is even believed to
cause stomach ulcers, chest
pain, seizures and gray hair!
Remember, not all stress is bad. Exercising induces stress in your
body. That's the good kind of stress. It is not chronic either.
Read on to discover answers to the most frequently asked questions to
this unhealthy state. Find out what natural remedies you can use to
treat this harmful condition.
We recommend the following steps to take in reducing stress:
Basic stress management tips including foods to eat and to avoid Lifestyle changes Natural Remedies for Stress Prescription
tranquilizers for severe "outbreaks" of stress. Use only when necessary
and use infrequently.
Facts and
Frequently
Asked Questions on Stress (FAQ's)
Natural Remedies
for
the Treatment of Stress - Are there any? Indeed yes. There are quite a list of herbs and vitamins that work! See our detailed review on Natural Remedies for
Stress to discover them all with recommended doses to use.
Frequently
Asked Questions & Facts
What
are some signs and symptoms of stress?
There are many physical signs and symptoms. They may include the
following:
- Acne outbreaks
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Blood sugar level imbalance (high and low)
- Changes in weight
- Changes in appetite
- Chest pain
(angina)
- Chronic Fatigue
- Decreased immune system function (leading to
increased risk of infections)
- Depression and mood disturbances
- Erectile
dysfunction (ED)
- Fast or racing heart beat
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia symptoms
- Hair Loss
- High
blood pressure
- Inability to fall asleep (insomnia)
- Inability to remember things
- Infertility (male and female)
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of hair or gray hair
- Loss of sex
drive
- Muscle tension
- Poor wound healing
- Skin problems (hives and rash)
- Stomach and digestive problems
- Sweating
- Tension headache
- Worsening of asthma
Many of these symptoms are general in nature so it is important to rule
out the other health conditions.
Is
chest pain
a sign of severe stress?
Possibly. Again, because stress mimics many other health conditions, it
is important to rule out chest pain
due to heart disease.
However, if you suffer from heart disease,
chronic anxiety may trigger angina attacks.
Does
exercise reduce stress?
Yes. Exercise and adequate sleep
is an essential element in the management of this state. Exercise
allows
you to release your "nervous energy" and it has a calming effect
afterwards. Exercise could be vigorous (jogging) or calming (yoga).
Exercise also conditions your body to cope better with stress.
Can
stress cause hypertension
(high blood
pressure)?
Yes. In many people, stress can increase blood pressure both directly
and indirectly. This is through constriction of blood vessel
by nerve signals and excessive production of adrenaline and
noradrenaline.
See Effects of
Stress on Health for the many health problems that are linked to chronic stress.
Can
stress cause hives?
Yes. Stress-induced rash and hives have been reported by patients
suffer from stress. Why? Stress causes the body to produce excessive
hormones that can wreak havoc with your body.
Is
there evidence of stress causing seizures?
Possible. Severe chronic anxiety
causes imbalance in your body's hormonal system and nervous system. In
individuals who have a history of seizures disorder, it may increase
their risk of suffering from seizures.
In otherwise healthy
individuals, this is an uncommon event. However, many factors are
involved including the severity and length of time the person is
suffering from chronic anxiety and the nature of the seizure disorder.
What
lifestyle changes can I make to reduce stress?
See Lifestyle
Changes for Stress to get additional stress management tips on
reducing stress. Although it may be impossible to follow every single
tip, even applying one or two tips would go a long way to reducing
stress.
What
dietary changes can I make to better manage stress?
Foods to eat
more of:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains
foods
- Drink more water (8 glasses a day)
- Keep the brain functioning with essential fatty
acids such as omega-3's
found in fish oil
Foods to eat
less of or avoid:
- Caffeine
and alcohol. Avoid soda with caffeine and keep alcohol down to
less than one glass a day (eliminate them both completely if
possible.) Find out which foods contain caffeine and cut back on eating them.
- Avoid sugars from candies and soda as they
affect blood sugar levels and may cause mood disturbances.
- Avoid unhealthy eating patterns and fast foods.
Related Articles and Resources
for Stress Management Tips
Discover the Effects of Stress
Before You Discover Health Problems
Lifestyle Changes for Stress
Management that Work
Go Natural! - Natural Remedies for
Stress Reduction
Return to Health Conditions
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