Stress is a silent killer, or if there is a lot of moaning about, a very loud one. Either way, when you cannot shake off the stress, it only compounds, and the damage it does is very physical. Stress from work, stress from your home life, responsibilities, friends, or anything else is still stress. If you do not deal with how you cope with these stressors, then you will only push yourself towards a breaking point.
The Physical Signs of Stress
How people feel and exhibit stress will vary just as with any disease, but the common and most frequently experienced symptoms of stress include:
Inability to Sleep
Unable to get to sleep because your mind is racing is a key sign of stress. You have too much on your mind. Another instance where stress can interrupt your sleep is if you keep having to wake up to get out of the stressful situation you are in. If you have nightmares about missing your alarm or some deadline that doesn’t even exist, this is a clear sign that you are stressed and need to do something about it.
Heart Palpitations
Have you ever been sat, feeling perfectly calm, only to start hearing your heart race in your ears? Heart palpitations are a very real sign of stress and anxiety, and when they occur might not even make sense. Things could be quiet, and there might not be anything externally wrong, and suddenly it seems as if your heart is beating twice as heavily.
Sore Muscles
Stress often causes us to hold in tension. This tension is held mainly in our jaw. If you find that you are constantly grinding your teeth or have a lot of soreness in your shoulders, then you are physically holding in your stress. A good initial step is to get a massage to unravel the muscle knots, but for a long-term solution, you will need to de-stress on a regular basis.
Anxiety
Persistent stress can cause a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) to develop. If you are at this stage, you are on the fast track to a breakdown, and that will not help your career. The only solution at this stage is to seek out professional help so that you may have some direction on what strategy to focus on next.
There are, of course, many other signs of stress. Some people might notice they always have headaches, and others might be plagued with sudden bouts of sweats. If it is not normal and you do not feel like yourself, then you must take a step back and evaluate yourself. Stress is likely the cause, and determining where that stress is coming from can help you better manage and counter it.
Strategies to Help You Manage Your Stress
Everyone is different, but to help you get started with your very own stress-busting strategy, you will want to follow these tips:
Exercise and Eat Well
Above all else, you need your body to be in peak physical condition. This means exercising regularly (and getting your heart rate up for at least 15 minutes) and eating well. You can do this by preparing meals in advance for the whole week. Lunches in particular benefit from this, as you can prepare them on Sunday and simply take them with you throughout the week.
Perfect the Micro-Break
When you feel the stress piling on, you need to have a micro-break. These can be a few seconds or a few minutes. They are vital to disrupting the stress in its tracks and giving you some space to breathe. Depending on the location and situation, this might mean a small micro-meditation break at your desk, or it might mean taking time away and playing a game.
The goal is to get your mind off the stress so that the worries can quiet. If this means going to Unibet Casino and playing a round of slots for a few minutes, then do it. If you only sit there and have your mind race about your worries, you won’t see the clear picture.
Far too often, we miss the easy solution when we worry, so break the cycle of worry with a micro-break before continuing on with the problem-solving.
Take Your Lunch Break
When you go on your lunch break, leave the office. This is the best way to actually relax without all your work reminding you of what is to come in just an hour.
Stop Working After Hours
If you currently respond to emails or work after your office hours without overtime pay, then it is time to stop. It won’t matter if it takes you longer to reach that promotion if you have a breakdown.
Try Meditation or Slow Living Activities
Instead of working after your office hours, pick up some slow living hobbies instead. Meditation, yoga, or even other slow living activities like painting can all help in slowing down your mind and your stress.
Reconnect with Nature
Finally, try to reconnect with nature as often as you can. Take lunch in a park, go for walks and bike rides in the park, and in summer try to have picnics or just spend time lounging outside. The outdoors can help us destress, calm down, and enjoy ourselves. If you want, get involved with a community project outdoors. From tree planting to outdoor yoga, there are so many great ways to reconnect with nature and relax in turn.
