Stress can manifest itself in many ways and negatively affect your mood, body, and behavior. Read the information below about the symptoms of stress to see if any apply to you. Even if you are not feeling stress now, try applying one or more of the stress management techniques to your daily routine as a preventive measure.
Recognize the Hazards
Mood
Stress can affect a person’s mood by creating a sense of anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. One might also feel restless, irritable, or angry. Stress can bring about feelings of depression, sadness, or a lack of motivation or focus.
Body
The body can react to stress in many ways. Headaches, chest pain, muscle aches, and an upset stomach are common. A person might feel fatigued or experience sleep disorders, like insomnia. Stress can also affect a person’s sex drive.
Behaviors
Aggressive driving and road rage are examples of stress manifesting itself in one’s driving behavior. A person experiencing stress may also respond by overeating or under-eating, withdrawing socially, and having angry outbursts. Abusing drugs, alcohol, or tobacco are other negative behaviors stress can trigger.
Know the Defense
Adjust Your Attitude
Try to remain positive. Accept what is out of your control, and let it go. When sharing your views, be assertive, but avoid becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
Exercise Regularly
Ride a bike, go on a hike, walk around the block, or jog. A fit body helps fight stress better. Exercise also allows the body to release endorphins, which helps reduce stress and ward off anxiety and depression.
Rest and Practice Relaxation
Sleep is essential for recovering from stressful events. Develop a pre-sleep routine to get your body on a regular sleep schedule and remove distractions such as electronics. Avoid heavy meals and excessive fluids an hour before bedtime. Try relaxation techniques, like yoga, meditation, or tai-chi.
Feed Your Body the Healthy Way
Do not rely on compulsive behaviors, such as drugs or excessive alcohol consumption, to reduce stress. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Treat your body like a machine, and feed it right so it can run at peak performance.
Find a hobby and be social
Find a new hobby or get involved in groups with similar interests. Activities are great opportunities to seek out new friendships. Reach out to family and friends for a good laugh or support in a tough time.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. does not provide legal advice to its insureds or other parties, nor does it advise insureds or other parties on employment-related issues, therefore the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds or other parties. Legal advice should always be sought from legal counsel. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein. Reprinted with permission from Great West Casualty Company.