Aargh! I’m a little stressed. I set off the smoke alarm yesterday. I was making this big cookie for my co-workers (cause come on let’s face who doesn’t love a big cookie) and it didn’t cook right. I had it in the oven for less than the suggested time and somehow it overflowed leaving a burnt heart-shaped mess of icky goo. Fabulous!

I drive into work the next day and some person almost sideswipes my car because no one in this town knows how to use the roundabout, or traffic circle as they call it. So I’m driving and trying to keep the new cookie I made intact when another genius pulls out in front of me and my tea goes flying because Kia Sephias have miniature cup holders. If all this wasn’t enough, it starts to snow. And guess what? I don’t have any windshield wiper fluid! So I’m driving like a madwoman to get to work and I feel like my chest is going to explode cause it’s 7:40AM and this day just isn’t going right.

What is Stress?

We all face stress throughout our lives. Stress is your body’s response (both psychological and physiological) to any type of demand. The body responds to stress as if you were in danger. This response is often called the “fight-or-flight” response.

Stress hormones are released by your body which can cause sweaty palms, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, slowed digestion, dilated pupils and a sudden burst of energy.

Causes of Stress

The causes of stress vary from person to person. What stresses one person out may have little to no effect on someone else. Below are some common internal and external stressors that may contribute to stress.

Stressors are agents that cause stress and can be either internal or external.

Internal stressors occur due to our own outlook or thoughts and include:
• Having a negative attitude or view of life.
• Nervousness due to fears such as speaking in public, heights, or flying.
• Creating unrealistic or even impossible expectations can lead to high stress levels.
• Feeling as though you must always put the needs of others above your own.

External stressors are things and situations outside your body that cause you to feel threatened or out of control. These include:
• Whether they are positive or negative, major life changes (marriage/divorce, birth/death, increased income/pay cut) can lead to stress.
• Environmental stressors are bothersome and are often beyond our control such as bad weather or noisy neighbors.
• Unexpected or frightening events like escaping a near-miss traffic accident.

Below is a list of the common symptoms for how you feel, how your body functions and how you behave under stress.

Feelings—anxiety, extreme worry, burnout, distraction, forgetfulness and mood swings.

Body—chest pain, headache, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sleep problems, and upset stomach.

Behavior—change in eating habits (undereating or overeating), crying spells, outbursts of anger, social withdrawal, accident-prone, and lack of motivation.

Tips for Relieving Stress

Eliminate the stressor if possible. You can’t get rid of your in-laws or your any other people, but you can make other changes. For example, if you’re always late leave earlier to eliminate the tension you feel.
Exercise regularly to rid yourself of pent-up aggression.
Think it over. If the stressor is something you can’t control, then don’t worry about it.
Talk about it. Whether it be a trusted friend, a family member or a counselor, sometimes it helps to talk about your problems and let others know what is going on.
Write it down. For one week, keep a stress journal that lists your stressors and your reaction to them. Evaluate the causes of your stress and think about what you can do to alleviate the tension.
Don’t go overboard. Try to set realistic goals for home and work. Be sure to prioritize and work on the most important tasks first.

Home Remedies for Stress

Soothing drinks. Try warm milk and honey at night to help you wind down for the day and relax. Chamomile tea naturally calms the body.

A warm, relaxing bath. Sprinkle your favorite bath salts in the tub, light a scented candle and even read a book or listen to music as you soak in perfect bliss.

Ginger is an antidepressant herb that helps to relieve anxiety and depression.

St. John’s Wort also helps treat anxiety and depression while improving sleep quality.

-Nolan

Do you have any remedies for Stress? Comment and tell us about it!

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