Stress is something that impacts all of us at times, and even if you understand it and
how it will be part of your life, it can still cause a lot of problems. Here are some effects of stress to know
about, and some fun and helpful tools and techniques that will help you fight back against it when you need some
relief.
Common effects of stress
Stress can be a really serious problem if you don’t deal with it, both mentally and physically. Some of the
most common effects of stress show up in our daily lives and will effect us physically. Common effects are:
- Headaches or migraines
- Muscle pain and tension
- Fatigue or insomnia
- Upset stomach
- GI issues
- Increased blood pressure
As you can see, all of these physical effects sound and feel like you’re sick – which isn’t that far from the
truth! Stress in your life is a sickness and needs to be dealt with just like any other kind of sickness. Except
in this case, the “medicine” is going to be doing things you love and making good boundaries instead of taking
an antibiotic.
Stress can also have effects on our mental health, and these effects can show up when you are feeling stressed,
or later when we come to other stressful events and it finally becomes too much to handle. Here are some common
mental health effects of stress:
- Depression
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Anger/Frustration
- Lack of energy
- Hyperactivity
- Feeling as though you are overwhelmed or drowning
Fighting back is going to be so important for a better quality of life. Stress management will help you get
your life back under your own control and you’ll be ready to take on anything that comes your way.
To help you on your way to a great life filled with fun and happiness, you need to learn how to deal with
stress when it comes up in your life. Here are some “tried and tested” ways to cope with stress in a healthy and
productive way:
Exercise
For physical and emotional reasons, exercise is a really great way to melt away your stress and have fun at the
same time. Pick an exercise that you enjoy such as running or swimming or dance, and make it part of your daily
or weekly routine. It will give you a great way to work out those frustrations.
Eating right
Eating healthy is extremely important, because healthy food is going to give us energy, and focus, where
unhealthy choices tend to make us unmotivated and more irritable. Eating takeout, junk foods, or a lot of carbs,
while tasty, is going to make us feel rough and more sensitive to things around us.
Getting enough sleep at night
Stress can keep you up at night and make you tired the next morning, which creates an even more stressful
situation. So, try your best to make sleep a priority in your life. If you are having trouble sleeping, then try
some relaxing activities like reading a book, taking a bath, listening to soft music or meditating. Make sure to
turn off your screens (TV, tablets, and phone) because research has shown this does not help most people wind
down. Also, take a look at you caffeine intake and limit it to one drink per day before noon. Most adults should
aim for 7-8 hours of sleep. Teens should aim for at least 8 hours of sleep.
Reading your favorite book, watching your favorite movie, hobbies: Speaking of reading, try reading one of your
favorite books – it will boost your mood and you’ll feel much calmer when you are with something familiar. If
you have a favorite movie, try that, too. If you have a relaxing hobby, then spend some time getting lost in
your hobby for a few hours. It’s all about making you feel calm and happy.
Venting/Ranting
Venting and ranting to a loved one is a great way to melt the stress away. Sometimes we all just need to let it
out. This is often where professional counseling is going to help, too. A professional ear can listen, teach you
new coping skills, and help develop a treatment plan to make stress a thing of the past.
Taking “you” time
It doesn’t have to be anything major, just make some time for yourself. Have a bath, have a cry, listen to
music, do what you want to do and take care of yourself.
Stress management is an important skill to learn when you are feeling stressed out, or if you want to be
proactive and have ways to deal with it before it happens. If this is already a struggle for you, consider
coming in to counseling as a way to explore your options, get the extra support you need, and learn specific
approaches that will work for you in your specific situation.
Pivotal Counseling Center has therapists who can help you work through stress and anxiety. We have locations in Woodstock, Illinois, and Lake in the Hills, Illinois. If you are in need of someone to help, please consider giving us a call at (815) 345-3400.
Pivotal Counseling Center is now accepting Medicaid including Blue Cross Community Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, and Molina Medicaid for outpatient counseling.
