How To Manage Stress And Anxiety

Everyone suffers from episodes of stress and anxiety at various times in their lives. Feeling stressed or anxious are normal, short-term emotional responses that people have when dealing with the pressures of everyday life. What is abnormal is when these feelings do not go away on their own and rise to a level where it impairs a person’s ability to function normally in life.
Stress and Anxiety Are Different
While stress and anxiety are similar in many ways, they are not the same and it is important to understand the differences. The physical symptoms of each are often similar such as irritability, fatigue, insomnia, muscle tension, and digestive issues. Stress is typically triggered by situations in life that cause someone to feel frustrated or nervous. Anxiety is different because it is a constant feeling of fear, worry or unease that can arise without any external triggers. Unmanaged stress and anxiety can cause upheavals in your daily life and compromise your physical and mental health.
Stress and anxiety are often referenced interchangeably because they are so closely related. The biggest difference is that once the situations that cause stress are removed, stress usually goes away. Anxiety differs because it can occur without a triggering event and those that suffer from it can feel nervous or uneasy about nothing in particular.
Periodic feelings of stress and anxiety are a normal part of the human condition and when these feelings arise, there are effective ways to make them more manageable and less intrusive in your life. Some popular and proven strategies include:
• Eat well-balanced meals. Eating nutritious meals and not skipping any during the day gives your body the defenses and energy it needs to ward off the negative impacts of stress and anxiety. If you snack, choose healthful options instead of junk food items.
• Exercise. Engaging in moderate intensity exercise activities is one of the best ways to fight stress and anxiety. Exercise increases your energy and optimism, releases brain chemicals that improve your mood and it distracts you from your negative thought patterns.
• Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can be triggers that exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety so cutting back or eliminating them can reduce and sometimes eliminate your negative feelings.
• Get involved in a hobby or activity. An effective way to respond to stress or anxiety is to participate in a favorite sporting activity or volunteer in a community organization. This will not only distract your mind from negative thoughts, but it will also enable you to develop the support networks you need to smooth the occasional bumps you encounter on the road of life.
• Share your feelings. Being stressed or anxious is nothing to be ashamed of, so reach out to friends or family members and open up about how you are feeling. Always remember you never have to fight the battle alone because there are people who care and are willing to help.
• Put your feelings in proper perspective. No one can control everything that happens in life and things are rarely if ever as bad as they might seem. Simply accept the reality that stress and anxiety occasionally happen and if you are thoughtful and patient, they will run their course and go away naturally.
If your stress and anxiety elevate to a level where prevents you from functioning normally in day-to-day life or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek professional help immediately. Talking with a mental health professional can help identify and manage the triggers that cause these feelings, and a therapist can provide you with the coping mechanisms you need to regain control over your life.
Feeling stressed or anxious is rarely a cause for concern. It happens to everyone, and these feelings go away when the stressors that cause them run their course. Understanding the symptoms of each and responding to them proactively can minimize their negative impact on your life and get you back to feeling normal sooner.