If you find yourself under stress, then it’s about time that you did something to control and manage it. The adverse effects that can result, if not, will lead to problems you will have to face daily, which affect you emotionally, mentally, and physically. The results can lead to problems you may not be able to overcome without help.
Living with symptoms of stress can deplete you all around, which can impact your work, relationships, and life. The first step is being aware of when you are under stress – yes, there are individuals who either ignore or are not in-tune with themselves to know. Stress management is the key to healthy living and higher productivity and performance.
Effective stress management is a commitment and is going to require time and consistent effort on your part. You need to be prepared to use stress management techniques every day so that you can keep your stress under control. It’s a commitment you make to yourself to live stress-less so you can do and be all that you desire.
Knowing the major benefits you will get by managing your stress should inspire you to keep your motivation levels high:
1. Stabilize your Moods
People suffering from high-stress levels usually experience different mood swings throughout the day. They can be happy and contented with things one minute and feel totally sad and depressed the next. Having stress management techniques will help to stabilize your mood.
2. Think more clear
If your stress levels are elevated then it will be difficult for you to think clearly. This is due to your resources for thinking being diverted elsewhere when you are stressed. The hormone, Cortisol, goes directly to the executive functions in your brain, which impacts the faculties you need to function on a daily basis. As you will need to make many decisions in your life, having ways to manage your stress to help you to think clearly.
3. Better Sleep
Stress sufferers often have trouble sleeping at night. It can take a long time for them to fall asleep and then they will wake up several times due to their stress causing them to worry. Somehow, it seems the brain goes alive during rest which can have adverse health effects; as sleep is very important for your overall health and wellbeing, stress management will help you to sleep better and improve your productivity and performance.
4. Reduce Inflammation in your body
A lot of stress sufferers experience painful joints after a while. Stress does not cause this pain directly but it will increase the amount of inflammation in your body, which can cause your joints to swell and make them feel stiff. However, when under stress and trying in vain to control it, the muscles tighten and constrict the flow of blood, which can lead to increased pain. Having healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, will reduce your stress will decrease the amount of inflammation and pain in your body.
5. Lower your Blood Pressure
If you are suffering from high-stress levels then it is inevitable that your blood pressure will be higher than it should be. It’s a natural tendency for the parasympathetic system to activate, meaning your heart rate and blood pressure will spike. High blood pressure is a serious health problem that can result in strokes and heart disease. Reducing your stress with effective stress management techniques will help to relax and lower your blood pressure.
6. Boost your Immune System
Chronic stress can weaken your immune system. You need your immune system to be as strong as possible to protect you from harmful diseases. Stress sufferers often get a lot of colds throughout the year, which they can catch easily. This is all due to a weakened immune system so prevention of stress will lower your chances of being frequently ill.
7. Lower your Blood Sugar
Every time that your body places you in fight or flight mode due to your stress it will elevate your blood sugar levels. This is to provide you with the energy that you need to protect yourself from danger. If your blood sugar levels are always high then this increases your risk of getting diabetes. Using stress management techniques will keep your blood sugar levels under control.
8. Stop Comfort Eating
Many people who experience high-stress levels resort to comfort eating, such as eating junk food like pizzas and ice cream. This is due to increased Cortisol levels but this can lead to becoming more stressed from worry about gaining weight; however, this can lead to self-sabotaging your efforts and eating more of these foods, particularly sugary ones. With effective stress management, you can avoid comfort eating and eat a healthy diet instead.
9. Better Relationships
Most chronic stress sufferers find that their relationships are under threat. It is not easy to live with a person who has elevated stress levels as they can become angry for no reason; they can become anxious and start to isolate or suffer emotionally. All of which can lead to poor relationships and interactions, both at work and at home. Having effective stress management skills will save your relationships in all environments.
Stress kills so having good stress relief techniques will keep you healthy, mentally and physically. Start to develop your ‘toolbox’ today so you are ready when stress occurs. You’ll be glad you did.
If you or your team is experiencing stress, don’t hesitate to get help; call today to learn about our services and programs to get started today.