State your health » Stress and Anxiety

Easing the Stress of Cancer

Editor — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:45:05 +0000

It is the diagnosis that no one wants to hear. Despite years of research, the word “cancer” continues to strike fear into the hearts of men, women, and children. While the detection of cancer is no longer a death sentence, there is always the possibility that cancer will accelerate the end of one’s life. With a diagnosis of cancer, one comes face-to-face with one’s own mortality.

There are a number of stressful aspects to a cancer diagnosis. Primary among these is the possibility that the cancer will be fatal. As a result, cancer can cause tremendous stress to one’s interpersonal relationships. Your family and friends may be on edge, worrying that you might die. You may also be short-tempered because you’re not certain how many more days you might have to live. You may be frustrated and anxious and may find it difficult to sleep.

Cancer can also lead to a great deal of financial stress. There are bills for doctors, for treatments, for medication, for surgery. At times, the costs can seem staggering. While your health insurance might cover part of the expense, you yourself might have to shoulder the rest of the cost. If you were barely getting by before your diagnosis, you might find it especially difficult dealing with the financial aspect of cancer.

The process of chemotherapy itself can be highly stressful. To begin with, you will not feel as energetic as you usually are, leaving you with the stress of wondering how you will get everything done. Also, you may feel nauseated, making it difficult for you to complete your work at the office or your work at home. Finally, losing your hair to chemotherapy can be quite a stressful experience. You have to decide how to handle your baldness-whether you will invest in a wig, a scarf, or just “go natural.” The baldness is particularly stressful for women, who tend to base a great deal of their self-image on how they look.

Realizing that cancer will put you under a great deal of stress is half the battle. Then, you must learn to deal effectively with your stress. For some cancer patients, this means engaging in relaxation exercises. For instance, you might envision that your white blood cells are eating up cancer cells. You might picture the cancer leaving your body, and your body being left healthy as a result. Or you might picture your cancer washing away to the sea. Such mind relaxation techniques can leave you with a more upbeat, enthusiastic attitude and can be highly beneficial in your recovery.

Another stress-reliever is spending some time reading inspirational works. Whether you draw your inspiration from Ronald Reagan or Mother Teresa, reading about how famous people overcame difficulties can help you as you battle your own demons. Such works can be greatly uplifting, giving you the courage and strength necessary to battle cancer heroically.

You might also be able to reduce cancer-related stress by changing your diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve both your physical health and your mental outlook. In this way, you will be better able to handle the stresses of cancer treatment.

Yet another effective stress-reducing technique is to join a support group of cancer survivors. This can be tremendously beneficial to your overall well-being. You’ll gain strength from listening to the experiences of other men and women who are facing the same challenges you are. And the fellowship that results from group meetings can aid you in your recovery.

There is no easy way to deal with the stress of cancer. It is a debilitating disease which can sap your physical strength and deplete your emotional reserves. It can leave you feeling battle-scarred and may, at times, lead to a feeling of hopelessness. The good news is that recovery rates are better than ever before-especially when the cancer is caught early. There is a good chance that you will be able to survive cancer, and your recovery could add years to your life. If at any time you find the stress of cancer to be overwhelming, make sure that you mention it to your doctor. He or she might be able to assist you with additional coping strategies that can help you deal with this devastating illness.

When Marital Breakup Happens

Editor — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:15:08 +0000

You had high hopes for your marriage. Your first meeting was ideal-at a local church picnic. Your courtship was a dream-many moonlight walks along the riverfront. Your wedding day brought tears of joy to your eyes. But then tensions began to arise and the marriage fell apart. As a result, you are now heading to divorce court.

Getting a divorce is more than just a traumatic event-it is one of the most stressful things that can happen in your life. You have come to rely on your husband or wife as your partner, as your soul mate, as your rock. Now, you must learn to do without, and the pain can seem intolerable. The stress can make you feel as if you don’t want to eat and you no longer want to take part in the activities you once enjoyed-especially those activities you did as a couple. You might wonder if you will ever feel whole and relaxed again.

The sad fact is that families are broken by divorce each day. In fact, it has become an all-too-common occurrence in our modern world. Yet, there are proven strategies you can engage in in order to reduce the amount of stress you incur as a result of your divorce. While your divorce may still be painful, you’ll be able to weather it better if you follow a few simple recommendations.

One of the most stressful aspects of a divorce is the acrimony between the two parties. In order to make the process as smooth as possible, choose a lawyer you can trust. You might go to your family member, a friend, or even your doctor for a recommendation. You’ll want a lawyer who specializes in family law to ensure that your case is handled well. Try to select a lawyer who is a good negotiator rather than one who tries to make his or her mark in the courtroom. That way, if difficulties arise, you’ll have someone in your corner who is determined to try to reach a peaceful settlement rather than attempt to battle things out in the courtroom.

Another stressful part of any divorce proceeding is child custody issues. If at all possible, try to work out custody before you ever go to court. A custody battle can be a long, intense process and it should be avoided if at all possible. If you can simply not agree on custody issues, you’ll have to prepare yourself for battle. The more prepared you are, the better able you will be to handle the stress of the custody dispute. Make a list of all the reasons your children should stay with you. Realistically assess both your faults and those of the other parent. In this way, you’ll have a good understanding of the issues that are likely to come up in your custody case.

Yet another element to divorce is the financial aspect. A divorce can literally wreck your finances, so you will have to have a strategy in place to deal with the fall-out. Make a realistic budget and stick with it. Make sure you have an accounting of your personal assets and those you held with your spouse. Determine whether there is any joint property worth fighting for. Also, keep tabs on your credit report. Your spouse’s reluctance to pay bills could show up as negative information on your own report.

As you go through the divorce process, consider joining a support group. This can lessen your stress considerably. Knowing that there are other people who are going through the same situation you are can be a tremendous aid in helping you to combat stress. You’ll have someone-or even a group of people-to turn to when things get rough.

There is no escaping the stress associated with divorce. However, the actions you take can enable you to significantly reduce your stress level. Also, it is important for you to keep in mind that a divorce is a transitory event. While some divorce cases last for years, there will eventually be an end to your divorce. The critical thing is for you to take each day as it comes and not to put yourself under more stress than you can handle.

Is your Relationship Causing You Stress?

Editor — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:30:06 +0000

Perhaps nothing is as important in our lives as our relationships with other people. It has often been said that a happy family is the key to success. Much of our joy comes from our memories of Thanksgiving dinners around the dining room table or Christmas presents exchanged in the family room. But it is also true that the relationships that provide us with so much happiness can also be a source of stress.

Mental health experts say that our interpersonal relationships can increase our stress level. Since it is not possible-nor advisable-to eliminate these relationships from our lives, we have to work hard to ensure that our relationships do not get the better of us. This means focusing our attention on the inherent stressors within relationships, and doing our best to eliminate or at least reduce stress where possible.

One of the major stressors in relationships is a communication problem. For instance, you may become angry at your mate because he or she fails to do chores around the house. However, the bigger issue at stake is the fact that you feel as if your mate doesn’t really love you. By bridging the communication gap-by articulating exactly what your needs are in a loving and supportive way-you can help ease the tension in your relationship.

Another source of stress can be a feeling that your mate is not supportive of your efforts, either at home or at work. You may feel as if your spouse doesn’t appreciate all your hard work and effort. This could, in turn, lead you to attempt to overachieve, thinking that, by doing so, you will win your mate’s support and love. However, such a tactic could backfire, causing you more stress than you need.

But your relationship with your spouse may not be the only relationship that is causing you stress. You may also be burdened by problems in your relationship with your parents. For instance, you might feel as if your parents disapprove of your career choice, your choice of spouse, or your choices when it comes to parenting your children. The fear of disapproval can lead to tension which can, in turn, give rise to stress. By trying to understand your parents’ perspective, you can help smooth out the tensions in your relationship. Also, attempt to boost your self-confidence, as far as your decision-making capability is concerned. This will help you to recognize the fact that your parents’ disapproval will not break you-that you can learn from their criticism and can become a better person for it.

Sibling rivalries can also cause a great deal of stress. You might feel as if you constantly need to compete with your brother or sister-that you need to have the better car, the prettier wife, the bigger house, the more prestigious job. If this is, indeed, the case, you might need to re-order your priorities. Recognize that your brother or sister is a talented individual, that he or she should be respected and appreciated. Realize that competition between siblings is seldom helpful and more often counter-productive. Once you stop trying to openly compete, you might find that your sibling calls a halt to the competition as well. In this way, you can both learn to find common ground-to work together rather than against each other.

In addition, you may experience stress in your relationship with one of your co-workers. You might experience continual conflict, as you continue to disagree on the most minuscule details. If the conflict appears to be overwhelming, you may need intervention by a supervisor in order to get your stress level under control. The worst thing you could do is to let things simmer until they reach the boiling point.

It should be noted here that you cannot eliminate stress entirely from your relationships. However, it is possible to minimize it. By engaging in effective communication, trying to view conflicts from the other person’s perspective, and dealing with differences of opinion openly and honestly, you can reduce the amount of stress in your interpersonal relationships. You may find that you are a great deal happier and even healthier as a result of such stress-busting techniques.

Stress at the Mall

Editor — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:45:04 +0000

It’s a malady that tends to strike around holiday time-although it can theoretically happen at any time of the year. You find yourself in a sea of people making its way through your local shopping mall. The crush of the crowd makes you feel claustrophobic. You run from store to store, vying against other shoppers for your turn at the racks. It seems as if no store has exactly what you’re looking for.

You hear the strains of carols playing over and over again on store speakers. The lines at the cash registers appear to stretch for blocks. When you finally find something to buy, you get behind someone who has to make a complicated exchange. You wonder if you’ll get home in time to wrap your gift before the office Christmas party.

You might not realize it, but even in the best of times, going to the mall can be a stressful experience. You can feel as if you’re undergoing sensory overload as you take in all the sights and sounds around you. There are so many racks to explore…so many clothes to sift through. Because of the variety of stores offered in modern malls, you might wonder where to begin with your shopping. Should you head to the shoe store first-or to the music store? Which store is offering the best sales? It has been said that offering an individual too many choices can be just as-if not more-stressful than only offering a few.

Then, there’s the stress inherent in dealing with other people. You have other customers to contend with-customers who can be rude and irritating. You might encounter clerks who don’t know their jobs well, or don’t care if their work is done right. You might even run into managers who seem to care little about the customer’s perspective.

You can deal with mall-related stress in any number of ways. To begin with, you can purposely avoid the mall during high-traffic times. You might even consider steering clear of the mall altogether during holiday time. Instead, you might consider shopping online, or through catalogues, or by going to specialty shops. The less you encounter the mall during high-stress times, the more relaxed your holiday shopping is likely to be.

Another important tactic to consider is to write down exactly what you need at the mall and keep to the list. In other words, you should resist the urge to impulse buy. Otherwise, you might find yourself saddled with shopping bags filled with merchandise you don’t need and will never use. You could also incur a tremendous amount of unnecessary debt through “binge buying.”

Also consider limiting the number of stores you visit at the mall. You shouldn’t feel as if you need to visit as many stores as is humanly possible on each trip. If your shopping is completed after browsing through a single store, simply leave the mall. Otherwise, it’s likely you’ll be wasting precious time and money.

Don’t be caught off guard by sales. Some shoppers seem to believe that, just because there’s a sale going on, they need to buy. The fact is, there will always be sales. In order to save money, simply consult your local newspaper in order to scope out the ads of stores having sales in a given week. That way, you can plan out your shopping adventures ahead of time. Otherwise, you can find yourself running from sale to sale and store to store and becoming stressed out in the process.

Going to a mall can be therapeutic. Store promotions can be fun and can help to take your mind off your problems. You might enjoy an afternoon makeover or spending a few minutes testing out easy chairs. And mall shopping can be a necessary part of life. However, you have to recognize when you’ve hit your limit. Too much shopping can tax your nerves and can leave you feeling uneasy. What’s more, you can be left with huge bills at the end of the month because of your shopping indulgences. As with most things, mall shopping is best done in moderation. If you shop only when you need to, chances are you will be removing an important stressor from your life.

Stress on the Job

Editor — Sun, 08 May 2011 10:30:02 +0000

Perhaps it’s due to a boss who seems to be making unreasonable demands. Or it’s the result of a co-worker who seems to routinely pass her work onto you. Or maybe you’re in a profession where tension is great, such as medicine or law. While a little bit of stress on the job can be healthy, too much can be a killer-literally. It’s been shown that there appears to be a direct correlation between stress and heart disease.

As a result of this, it is important that you learn to deal effectively with stress on the job. This can be difficult, because a number of stress-inducing factors may be out of your control. For instance, you have no say in who your boss is or who your customers are. You may not be able to determine when you start your day, or how much time you have for lunch. However, it is important for you to recognize that job stress is a serious health problem.

The statistics tell the story. A study conducted in 1999 discovered that we are working longer hours. In fact, the average number of hours on the job have increased eight percent in just one generation—to 47 hours a week. One out of five of us works as much as 49 hours a week. We are a nation of workaholics. This can cause a great deal of stress, not only on the job, but on the homefront as well. A number of divorces are attributed each year to the workaholic syndrome. To put things in perspective, consider this: the average American works three months more each year than workers in Germany. The U.S. leads the industrialized world in the number of hours worked. The workplace has become so competitive in the U.S. that some employees compare it to the reality TV program known as “Survivor.”

In order to help reduce your stress on the job, you need to make a realistic assessment of your hours. Is it possible for you to cut back and still perform your duties? Are you wasting time on the job that would be better spent at home? Can you delegate some of your duties to someone else in the office? If you design a more workable work schedule, you might find your job-related stress decreasing significantly.

It is entirely possible that you will actually become ill working those extra hours. Over a four-year period, from 1996 to 2000, the proportion of employees taking sick time due to stress rose by three fold. Each day, as many as a million American workers have called in sick because they are under too much stress. This absenteeism is costing American companies money-and making workplaces less productive.

Americans are also feeling stressed out because they no longer think they’re jobs are secure. Over a ten year period, the number of employees who were afraid they would become unemployed doubled. And a survey conducted in the year 2000 discovered that half of all workers worried that they could lose their jobs. The dot.com burst, corporate bankruptcies, and massive layoffs have scared the American workforce. With little job security, workers live in fear of being tossed onto the unemployment line. A number of people have come to realize that they cannot expect to retire from the company for which they are now working. Therefore, they may have little allegiance to their companies, resulting in stress for both bosses and employees.

It would be wonderful if the economy could be changed so that long-term employment at a single company was still possible, but that may be wishful thinking. As a result, workers need to try to lessen their stress-knowing that they may be in a volatile position. For many workers, this might mean making sure that they contribute to a 401-K plan so that they have money socked away for retirement. For others, it might mean starting their own businesses so that they do not have to rely on someone else for their employment. If you try to be proactive, chances are you will lessen your stress level. You have to realize that you are ultimately responsible for your own fate. If you are in the driver’s seat, you will feel a sense of control which could lessen your stress level considerably.

The Stress of Death

Editor — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:15:05 +0000

You can recall clearly the day your father took you for your first bicycle ride. It was a crisp autumn day and the sun was shining on your brand new Huffy. You remember his hand gently guiding your bike along the road that ran by your apartment building. You even recall his smile as you began steering your bike on your own.

The memory lingers with you as you begin to make preparations for your father’s burial. He had had a long illness-cancer-and you knew that the end would be coming soon. Yet, you now think that nothing could have prepared you for the day when he actually died. While you anticipated a period of mourning, you failed to realize that you would encounter a great deal of stress as a result of his death. You may be surprised-even shocked-by the amount of stress you feel.

We seldom associate death with stress, yet the death of a loved one is one of the most stressful events that can happen in our lives. Whether it is the death of a parent, a spouse, a child, a sibling, or a beloved friend, death makes us anxious-not only about our loss, but about our own mortality. The most stressful aspect of death may be the fear of the unknown-you may not know what to expect next, and you may wonder how you will handle the next obstacle that comes your way.

The most important thing you can do to deal with death-related stress is to recognize it for what it is. Realize that it is perfectly natural for you to feel worried and anxious during this difficult time. Try to give yourself some time to pause and reflect. Don’t feel as if you have to “hurry up and get over” the death. Allowing yourself an opportunity to grieve should help to reduce your stress level-and make you a healthier person, emotionally speaking.

One thing you can do to help you deal with the stress is to do something positive to remember your loved one by. In other words, consider planting a tree, making a contribution to your loved one’s favorite charity, or volunteering your time at the nursing home that cared for your loved one in his or her final days. Discovering that life still offers pleasant possibilities gives you hope-and can help you to deal with your stress more effectively.

Give considerable thought to how your loved one would want you to carry on after his or her death. Chances are great your father, mother, husband, or brother would not want you sulking in the corner for the rest of your life. Give yourself permission to go on with life. As a result, you should feel less stress-and you should enjoy life more.

Another effective stress-reducing technique is to commit your thoughts to paper. Writing can be quite therapeutic and can help you gain perspective on your situation. The process of writing can improve your problem-solving skills, making you better able to cope with your situation. Also, give yourself time to re-read your journal entries. You might be amazed at how much you’ve grown, emotionally-speaking, over a short period of time.

If the stress of death becomes overwhelming, by all means seek the help of a professional. A counselor can help you to sort out your feelings and recommend coping techniques. You might find it quite liberating to talk to another individual about everything you’re feeling inside. In some cases, you might also want to consult with a psychiatrist to see if there is some medication you can take that will help you deal with death-related anxiety.

All of us will experience the death of someone close to us at some time in our lives. Therefore, we can expect to deal with the stress of losing someone we love. However, it’s good to know that there are positive things we can do to help us deal more effectively with the stress related to death. While, in a certain sense, we may never get over a loved one’s death, we can learn to cope with the loss. We may even learn to smile again.

When Your Stress Level is Sorely Tested

Editor — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:15:00 +0000

It might have begun with your first spelling test in second grade. Your stomach became queasy as you tried to recall all the right letters. You might have felt your heart pounding and your knuckles turned white. Your head might have hurt as you tried in vain to concentrate. When you received a “D” on the test, your stress level only intensified. You automatically viewed yourself as a failure.

By the time it came to the SATs, you had been through years of test-taking. Yet, when the moment of truth arrived, you found yourself biting the eraser on your pencil incessantly. You found your eyes couldn’t quite focus, and your attention span seemed non-existent. As a result of such reactions, you find yourself taking the SATs again and again, without appreciably improving your score.

There can be little doubt that taking a test is a highly stressful experience, no matter what your age. A test can determine whether you advance to the next grade…whether you’ll graduate from high school…whether you’ll get into college. Because education is so critical to professional and financial advancement, a test can be either the door to prosperity…or the roadblock to success.

You have to realize that you’ll always be undergoing some stress when you take a test. However, there are ways that you can minimize the amount of stress you feel. For instance, you might take a course in how to prepare for tests. This is especially important for taking the SATs and ACTs. There are certain strategies you can use-such as answering the easiest questions first, learning to pace yourself, not panicking at the first question you don’t know the answer to. These strategies can help you no matter what kind of a test you are taking.

Another technique that has proven effective with many students is to take practice tests in anticipation of your exam. While the questions you face on your actual exam will not be the same as the sample questions, they should prove to be similar. In this way, you can prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for your exam.

Yet another important strategy to use is to make sure that you get plenty of rest the night before a test. Fatigue can sap your strength, causing you to lose your concentration. If you are tired, you are also likely to become frustrated as you go about your test. The more frustrated you are, the worse your score is likely to be. Making sure that you get a good night’s sleep the night before can improve your outlook immeasurably, giving you the positive attitude you need in order to succeed.

Likewise, it is important that you get appropriate nutrition. Sugary snacks can actually deplete your energy, making it harder for you to concentrate. They can also add significantly to your stress level. By eating a sensible diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, you can prepare yourself physically for the challenge of test-taking.

Another successful strategy can be to employ a tutor to assist you with your studying. A tutor helps you to focus and can help to improve your study habits. The tutor can also instill a certain measure of discipline in your preparations. With your tutor’s support, you should feel more confident and better able to handle the stress of test-taking.

In a similar vein, consider trying to find a mentor. A mentor can act as a coach, helping to build your self-esteem. You can learn a great deal from a mentor’s career. He or she can share the strategies used in order to climb the ladder of success. You might find your stress level decreasing significantly with a mentor on your side.

Test-taking is a skill which can be learned. Knowing this fact should help to ease your stress. With time and patience, you can learn to take tests as a pro. Recognize, however, that at times you might not be able to perform as you would wish. While you might encounter setbacks along the way, you have to realize that it takes dedication to reach your ultimate goal. With a good preparation plan in place, you can master the art of taking tests-and your anxiety should slowly disappear.

The Stress of Paying With Plastic

Editor — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:00:22 +0000

You might have gotten your first credit card offer when you were still in college. It was exciting-the idea that you could be entrusted with a credit card account. You could suddenly buy things you never dreamed possible. Your standard of living seemed to grow considerably. This was especially important during your college years, when money was so tight.

You may have run up your credit card balances when you had your first child. You had to buy so many things-a bassinet, crib, stroller-and a credit card seemed a good way to pay for it. You might have realized that it was wrong to overcharge, but you felt as if you had no other option. Suddenly, you found yourself facing a mountain of credit card debt.

Millions of us use credit cards each day to pay for both major ticket items and minor goods. Credit cards are a multi-billion dollar industry, and the industry seems to be growing all the time. Yet, there can be a tremendous amount of stress associated with paying with plastic. This stress can also be difficult to alleviate, since credit card use can be so addictive.

There can be the stress involved in paying off your monthly balances. The balances might grow so great, in fact, that you may have trouble paying them off entirely. There can be the stress involved in trying to manage multiple credit cards. Also, you might find yourself stressed out by even minimum monthly payments. If you have to balance other major bills, such as a mortgage and car payments, the financial stress can seem overwhelming.

How do you deal with such stress? There are a number of strategies you can use. To begin with, you can try cutting up your credit cards. This will eliminate the temptation to overspend altogether. When your balances are no longer rising, you might find it easier to deal with credit card debt.

However, you may view credit cards as a natural part of life. Therefore, you might not want to eliminate them from your wallet. In such a case, you must learn to somehow deal with credit card debt. There are a couple of different ways to do this. For instance, you might call the credit card company and try to re-negotiate your interest rate. This may require you to talk with a supervisor, but it can be well worth the effort. Cutting your interest rate can significantly lower your payments.

Another technique you can use is to put yourself on a credit card budget. Figure out, realistically, how much credit card debt you can handle each month. Once you figure out your limit, do not go over it under any circumstances. Otherwise, you could find yourself paying significant monthly payments.

Also, try, if at all possible, to pay your credit card bills on time. This means eliminating late fees, which can prove to be a significant expense. By paying your bills on time, you will improve your credit rating and you’ll find yourself dealing with less stress.

In some cases, the best way to deal with credit card stress is to discuss your problems with a credit counselor. He or she may be able to work out a more manageable payment plan for you. With the counselor’s help, you should also learn techniques for better managing your money. Best of all, such counseling is free, so it will not cause you additional financial stress. You may find yourself to be tremendously relieved after talking with a credit counselor about your problems.

You should not be embarrassed by the fact that you are undergoing major credit card stress. It can literally happen to anyone, particularly since credit cards are so widely available. The important thing to remember is that credit card stress, while difficult, is completely manageable. By invoking proven money management strategies, you can learn to deal effectively with your stress. You may even find that using credit cards becomes an enjoyable experience, since you are doing it so rarely. Also, be sure to talk with members of your family about the stress you are undergoing. They may be able to help ease your stress level-and they may curb their own spending habits as a result.

Stressed Out? A Good Night’s Sleep Can Cure What Ails You

Editor — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:00:09 +0000

Your child brings home a report card filled with low marks. Your dog just bit your neighbor, and the sink in the kitchen no longer works. You feel you’re under major stress. As a result, you find yourself tossing and turning at night, unable to get a good night’s sleep. This is truly unfortunate, because sleep can re-charge a person’s batteries, enabling him or her to better tackle the stressors that come along the road.

Stress-induced insomnia can take a variety of forms. For instance, you may have difficulty falling asleep in the first place. Or you may wake up hours earlier than you should. You may find yourself waking up several times during the middle of the night. Or you may even find that you feel tired when you wake up in the morning because you didn’t get good quality sleep.

One important point to remember is that you are not alone. Just about everyone suffers from lack of sleep at some point in life. That said, dealing with insomnia can be exhausting. You might feel run down during the day and have difficulty concentrating. You may turn to coffee in order to keep awake during the daylight hours, which can lead to a feeling of restlessness. You may even try taking a nap in the mid-morning or late afternoon, only to find that you have difficulty sleeping again at night.

While old age, depression, and substance abuse can all lead to insomnia, it might be said that the number one cause is stress. If your insomnia persists for a week, you should contact your doctor. He or she may prescribe medication to enable you to get to sleep more quickly. But you should be aware that there are other techniques you can use to deal with stress-related insomnia.

To begin with, try to determine the root cause of your stress. This might be your job, your home life, or even some of your recreational activities. Next, determine whether you are overscheduled. By eliminating some of your commitments, you might be able to seriously reduce your stress level. Then, do some problem-solving. How can you make a stressful situation better? It could involve engaging in positive thinking, changing your attitude about the situation, or coming up with solutions to resolve the situation.

There are also some concrete steps you can take to improve your sleep. For instance, make sure that your bedroom is conducive to sleep. This means finding the most comfortable bedding available, decorating your room with soft, subtle colors, and eliminating clutter or other signs of work in progress.

In addition, condition yourself to associate your bed with sleep. This means resisting the temptation to do work in bed, or study for your classes while lying down. You should even try to avoid watching TV programs in bed. The idea here is to eliminate stimulants from your sleeping area which could prevent you from falling asleep. If you like to read in bed, make sure that you read only fun, pleasurable books, not significant tomes that could keep you up at night.

One other helpful tip is to set up a regular routine prior to going to bed. It may involve taking a bath or shower to relax you or drinking some milk right before settling down to sleep. Also, try to get up at the same time every morning so that you are following an established schedule. In addition, make sure that you do not engage in drinking beverages with caffeine or alcoholic drinks after dinner.

Insomnia is one of the most dangerous side-effects of stress. It can rob you of your energy, strength, and endurance. It can make the simplest tasks difficult to handle during the course of the day. And it can even lead to major depression. If you find yourself having trouble getting to sleep at night, take immediate action. Don’t wait for your body to feel the stress of night after night of sleeplessness. The more proactive you are, the greater the likelihood that you’ll be able to combat insomnia, as well as the stress that goes with it. Refreshed and renewed, you’ll be able to take on the challenges that come your way, once you’ve gotten enough sleep.

Dieting Your Way to Stress Management

Editor — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:15:02 +0000

You may notice that you reach for the potato chips when a television program becomes particularly frightening. Or you grab the crackers at work when you learn that you’ll have to handle a new project. You may also nibble on candy bars when you’re having difficulty controlling your children. These eating patterns are all a reaction to stress.

Stress plays an important part in our daily diet. In fact, a great deal of overeating has been attributed to stress. However, it is also true that your diet can have an impact on stress. There are certain foods that tend to worsen our stress levels. A number of these foods fall into the category of stimulants.

Of course, the best-known stimulant is caffeine. You’ll find it not only in coffee, but in soft drinks, tea, and chocolate. Your heart beat races, as does your mind, when you are served a significant amount of caffeine. Caffeine consumption may even be connected to high blood pressure. However, you might not want to cut out caffeine entirely all at once. A gradual reduction will help lessen your withdrawal symptoms.

Consuming alcohol can also increase your stress level. It leads to the production of adrenaline, which can cause you to have difficulty sleeping. You might also experience a feeling of tension as a result of your alcohol intake. In addition, alcohol makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of toxins. Smoking is also quite dangerous, increasing hypertension and leading to heart disease.

Chances are you will experience a great deal of stress after eating sugar. This is because this sweet substance can exhaust the adrenal glands, leading to depression and irritability. While some people tend to reach for sugar cookies when they are feeling stressed, the irony is that sugar-filled snacks can actually make you feel even more stressed out.

Salt and fat are two substances that can increase your stress level. Salt, for instance, raises the blood pressure, causing an individual to feel as if his or her emotions are out of control. As a result, you should not eat high-salt foods such as ham or sausage. Meanwhile, consuming fat can put strain on the cardiovascular system, leading to more stress. In general, you should avoid highly processed food, which tends to be sparse in nutritional value.

If you want to get your stress level under control, consider a diet that is rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. These are natural stress-busters, filled with nutrients that will help you to feel good over the long run. Also, these foods are far less likely to result in weight gain-another significant cause of stress. Some dieticians recommend eating a diet that is 65 to 70 percent raw in order to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of nutrients-nutrients which could be otherwise lost during the cooking process.

How do you know if your diet is stressing you out? Pay close attention to the warning signs. For instance, do you get headaches right after eating? Are you experiencing neck or back pain? Do you feel irritable after dinner? Do you feel anxious for no reason? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could be dealing with food-induced stress. As you attempt to combat that stress, you should also make sure that you get at least seven hours of sleep each night in order to ensure that you are well-rested. Being tired can contribute significantly to your stress level.

There is no question that eating right can reduce your stress. Indulging in caffeine-filled drinks or fatty foods can simply make you hyper, unable to relax or to concentrate. However, if you eat meals that are rich in vitamins and minerals, you could find your stress level significantly reduced. Plan your meals ahead of time to ensure that you receive the maximum nutrition. Be sure to eat slowly and deliberately-feeling rushed at mealtime can contribute to your stress level. The good news is diet is a stressor you can easily control. By following a few common sense techniques, you can ensure that you are eating a diet which will greatly reduce your stress.

Reading: The Pleasurable Escape

Editor — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:15:03 +0000

It can take us to exotic lands, with powdery white beaches and clear azure skies. It can take us back in time-even to prehistoric days-or forward to the Big Brother world of the 25th century. It can fill our eyes with tears or make us laugh aloud. Reading opens a window to the world, giving us a vision of things we never dreamed possible. But, though you might not realize it, reading can also reduce your stress level.

For one thing, reading can help with problem-solving, which, in and of itself, can relieve stress. Say you are overweight, and that is contributing to your stress. It seems that the more weight you gain, the more stressed out you become, and the more you eat. By reading books about good nutrition, you can learn to plan meals that are low-cal and low-fat. As a result, your weight problem might disappear-and your stress level will be greatly improved.

Reading can also be relaxing. When you curl up with a good book, you put the rest of the world at bay. You take time out to travel to distant worlds, to learn about different time periods, and to expose yourself to out-of-this-world philosophies. You are essentially taking a vacation of the mind-but one that can be relatively cost-free, especially if you live near a library.

Reading can be a source of great hope, which can also help to relieve your stress. Through biographies, you can read about famous people and learn how they overcame their struggles. These stories of triumph might inspire you to seek ways to overcome the challenges in your own life. Inspirational books can send your spirit soaring, enabling you to accomplish things you never dreamed possible.

Of course, there are instances when reading can raise your stress level. For instance, if you are studying for a test, or reading about tragedies in your local newspaper, you might find your stress level skyrocketing. That is why it is important to be choosy when it comes to your reading material. If you’re feeling stressed, pick up a book that will relax you-perhaps a travel book, a cookbook, or a book of poetry. Resist the urge to read something that could simply make you feel more troubled.

Self-help books are particularly effective in helping to reduce stress. They allow you to explore your feelings and the triggers that lead to stress. And they recommend such techniques as listening to soothing music, playing a musical instrument, playing cards, or engaging in deep breathing in order to deal with stressful situations.

Or you might buy a book to learn about a hobby that can further reduce your stress. Perhaps it’s needlepoint, woodworking, or crochet. It may be origami, calligraphy, or stenciling. You can learn how to refinish furniture, paint, renovate your kitchen, or redecorate your bathroom. You can either build upon a skill you already have, or learn a new one from scratch.

It has been shown that reading novels can relieve depression, so it should come as no surprise that such an activity can also reduce your stress. When you read a novel, you travel to a distant place, metaphorically speaking. This allows you to use your imagination freely as you try to picture characters and settings. It’s a wonderful escape from the pressures of everyday living, and can allow you to return to your life feeling more refreshed.

Reading also forces you to concentrate-concentration which might be otherwise lost due to stress. As a result, you learn to exercise your mind-an exercise that can bear much fruit. Thanks to your reading, you may notice you find it easier to remember things which can, in turn, reduce your stress level.

If you find that you don’t like to read, you might start with graphic novels. These comic book-like creations might appeal to you because of their interesting pictures. Or you might simply start with glossy magazines. In the long run, it doesn’t matter so much what you read as how much you read. Read in the grocery line, at the bank, or while pedaling your stationary bike. You’ll quickly find that the more you read, the more you will want to read, and the less stress you will feel.

Music: Sound Stress Reduction

Editor — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:45:08 +0000

Music–It is the soundtrack to our lives. You might have driven your first car while the Go-Gos blared on the radio. You may remember singing “Memory” at your high school graduation, or you might have had the organist play “Ode to Joy” at your wedding. You may remember the first time you heard Bruce Springsteen, or the last time you heard Madonna. Whether your musical tastes are contemporary or classical, chances are you do have a favorite form of music. And you also probably have a favorite artist or band.

But, in addition to being enjoyable, music can serve an important function as a stress reliever. It is no surprise that dentists routinely play music in their offices, or that surgeons play it during operations. Bus drivers play music to reduce stress, as do baseball players during their warm-ups.

Musicologists say that music can have a soothing effect, an effect that might have begun when we first heard music while still in our mother’s womb. As a result, music may, in fact, remind us of our mothers, from whom we draw strength and comfort. It has been shown in studies that music where the flute predominates, such as Celtic or Native American music, is often the most comforting. In fact, research indicates that any music performed in person helps to synchronize the right and left brain hemispheres. Music can be especially beneficial to the individuals performing it. It provides a sense of accomplishment which can, in turn, reduce stress.

Music increases the body’s serotonin levels, which are associated with good feelings. Also, music tends to enhance deep breathing, making a person feel more relaxed. Also, background music at work has been shown to cut stress levels. In addition to causing heart rates to decline, music boosts the body’s temperature.

One preferable way to relax is to lie down with a set of headphones and allow the music to wash over you. In this way, you’ll be intimately involved in the music-you’ll feel as if you are part of the music. It is easy to forget the cares of the world when you can escape into music. You should select music that has a slow beat-preferably slower than 72 beats a minute, the standard heart rate. You should focus your attention to the silence that is usually built into musical selections in order to maximize your relaxation. Another popular technique is to use a Walkman while doing your morning walk. This way, you combine the stress-busting effects of music with those of exercise. This provides a one-two punch which is guaranteed to reduce your stress level.

You might also try tuning into nature sounds. Sit in your backyard, close your eyes, and concentrate on the sounds you hear. You’ll be listening to the music of crickets and songbirds, leaves rustling in the wind and wind chimes swaying in the breeze. You can also purchase a CD which offers the sounds of the ocean or the woods. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll be carried away with the sounds. Just ten minutes sitting quietly and listening can put you in an entirely different frame of mind. You’ll find you’re better able to cope with the demands of the day if you’ve spent some time listening to music-whether it’s man-made or made by nature.

It is highly important that you listen to music that appeals to you. If you never liked the Beach Boys, chances are that playing a “Best of the Beach Boys” CD will not calm you down. Furthermore, if you like classical music, but can’t stand Beethoven, limit your listening to Mozart instead. The important thing is that you feel comfortable with your musical selections.

It is hard to imagine a world without music, yet most of us do not take full advantage of the art form. It can be unbelievably effective in reducing stress and improving relaxation. It is no wonder that women have been known to select their favorite music to give birth by. Music elevates our mood; it makes us feel happy and alive. Depending on the amount of stress you’re under, you may end up playing music just in the morning, in the afternoon, or all day. Just remember that music time should be relaxation time.

Stress and the First Year of Parenthood

Editor — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:30:03 +0000

The first year of parenthood is a memorable time. You’re getting to know your baby and becoming acclimated to your role as a parent. You learn how to feed your baby, how to clothe him or her, and even how to medicate your baby. Every few weeks, you check with your pediatrician’s office to chart your baby’s growth. It is, in fact, an incredible period of growth for both you and your baby.

However, there is also a great deal of stress associated with new parenthood. You often have to toss aside your pre-conceived notions as you actually experience motherhood or fatherhood. You may be stressed out by the endless diapers and mounting piles of laundry…by the constant feedings…and by your newborn’s continual crying. At times, you may even wonder whether you’re really cut out for parenthood.

The important thing to remember is that every new parent feels stress. It is, in fact, part of the job. And the stress will continue once your child is in school, once your child becomes a teenager, and once your child starts college. In essence, the moment your baby is born begins a lifetime of stress for you and your mate.

How can you best combat new baby-stress? Recognizing the amount of stress you’re under is an important first step. Many new parents become frustrated and irritable, never realizing that they are simply reacting to stress. Given the fact that new parents often get little sleep, the stress can be easily compounded.

Once you recognize your stress, it is important to engage in some stress relief. For many parents, this will mean calling Grandma and Grandpa to take over during the rough times. Just a few hours away from your baby can help you to re-charge your batteries, enabling you to improve your coping skills. It can be particularly helpful if you and your mate arrange a date night while your baby is with the grandparents. This couple time can be extremely relaxing and beneficial for your relationship.

A simple technique you can use is to play lullabies-not just for your baby, but for yourself as well. There is something so soothing about a pleasant lullaby-it can take a great deal of the tension away. Singing with your baby can also help to cement the bond between you and can help to eliminate stress. You might even try dancing with your baby-the best dances include both parents! Taking the time to relax with your baby can help to reduce the tension you feel.

Books can be another helpful resource. There are a number of books on the market that tell you what to expect during your baby’s first year. For instance, many offer doctor’s recommendations on when it is necessary to call the pediatrician, and when a home remedy will work just as well. Reading such “baby how-to” books can take a great deal of the stress out of first year parenting.

Arranging play dates for your baby can also be quite therapeutic. In some cases, you might be able to drop your baby off at a friend’s house while you do your shopping, cleaning, or other chores. In other cases, arranging a play date offers you the opportunity to get together with other mothers and fathers who share similar stresses. Just talking with other parents might help to ease your worries tremendously.

Another tried-and-true formula for dealing with new baby stress is to put the baby in a stroller and start walking. Just a short walk around the block can help to clear your head, helping you to better deal with the demands of new parenthood. You might even enlist a friend to walk with you. Some mothers and fathers even buy special jogging strollers so that they can run while their babies roll along. Such exercise can be quite relaxing, especially after a hard day around the play pen.

Your new baby should be the light of your life. Therefore, you shouldn’t let stress ruin your relationship. By employing some simple coping strategies, you can learn to love your new life-despite all the stresses involved. You’ll wake up each day refreshed, and ready to take on the day’s challenges.

Cooking Up Stress Relief

Editor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:30:10 +0000

Perhaps it shows through your fidgeting, your nail-biting, or your sleepless nights. You feel as if you are under a great deal of stress, and you are searching for relief. While there are many stress reduction strategies you could use, perhaps one of the best is one of the easiest: cooking.

Cooking is an art as well as a science. It takes a great deal of patience and persistence to become an excellent cook, and some of your experiments will inevitably end up in the wastebasket or down the garbage disposal. Yet, there is something incredibly relaxing about sauting onions, grilling chicken, or barbecuing pork. You can become mesmerized by the scent of your culinary sensations. The process of stirring, chopping, or slicing can be highly therapeutic. You can feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of a good meal which can further reduce your stress level.

If you plan to take up cooking as a serious hobby, it is best if you begin by purchasing a good cookbook. There are even cookbooks that promise you stress-free entertaining. Selecting the cookbook can be a relaxing experience in and of itself. Usually, cookbooks are loaded with interesting, eye-catching pictures. You can also pore over delicious recipes, imagining how to prepare them in your kitchen.

Next, you might want to invest in some sensible cooking supplies. This will help to alleviate your stress when the time to cook arrives. Make sure that you have aprons, a grater, a good set of knives, a colander, an array of sauce pans and skillets, and a collection of interesting plates to set your creations on. The better prepared you are, the less stress you will experience in the kitchen.

Then, it’s time to head to the grocery store. It’s best if you have prepared a list in advance based upon the recipes you hope to make. This will save you time, stress, and possibly money at the supermarket. Make sure that you schedule enough time to go through the grocery store-you don’t want to be rushed. In addition to the items needed for your recipes, it’s a good idea to pick up some staples. For instance, you should always have flour, sugar, milk, eggs, and a collection of spices on hand.

In order to minimize your stress level, it’s best if you can start by preparing meals for yourself or for close family members. After you become proficient, you might want to graduate to dinner parties, but don’t expect to produce a seven-course meal during your first few attempts at gourmet cooking. Select menu items that appeal to you; chances are they will appeal to your family as well.

Another possible stress-reducer is a cooking class. Such classes are often offered at local community centers, YWCAs, or community colleges. Don’t take the course for credit-take it for fun. The idea is to have a relaxing time by the stove. You’ll enjoy camaraderie with other students and you might even socialize with them after class. Taking a course can expand your horizons, helping you to become a well-rounded person.

It is true that cooking can be stressful. After all, if you have five children to feed, you’re low on food, and you have a baby who’s crying, meal time can be stress time. However, if you permit yourself plenty of time to cook, you choose recipes that you enjoy, and you look at it as a hobby rather than drudgery, cooking can be quite relaxing and can actually help lower your blood pressure.

One thing you’ll want to watch when cooking is portion control. If you make too much pasta, you might be tempted to overeat, causing health problems on down the road. Also, it can be important to cook meals that are heart-healthy and that are not loaded with sugar and calories. Otherwise, you could face the stress of battling a weight problem. However, if you make sure that you cook plenty of vegetable dishes, you limit the number of desserts you prepare, and you keep close track of your carbohydrate intake, cooking can be a pleasant, stress-reducing experience. The more practiced you become at gourmet cooking, the more you will look forward to it, and the less stressed you will feel.

Supermarket Stress

Editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:16 +0000

If you dread going to the supermarket, you’re not alone. A number of people consider grocery shopping to be a tremendously stressful experience. It can tax your mind, drain your resources, and cause your blood pressure to rise. It is certainly not surprising, when you consider all of the elements that are involved in a trip to the local supermarket.

To begin with, negotiating the parking lot can be quite stressful. You have to deal with a parade of cars going in all directions. You have to steer clear of shopping carts and strollers. Pedestrians might jump out in front of your car when you least expect it. The hazards increase if it is snowing or drizzling outside.

Once you arrive at the supermarket, you might have difficulty finding a cart-which can get your shopping trip off to a rough start. You might be shocked at the prices that you find plastered on the products that you need. You might also find that the daily special has run out…there is no one manning the meat counter…the line for the deli wraps around most of the store…the store manager is on edge…and the machines at the self-checkout are broken. All of these incidents can lead to further stress.

How can you reduce your stress level at the supermarket? For one thing, you can make it a point to shop at off times. Shopping early in the morning or late in the evening can help you to avoid the crowds. You’re likely to find the store to be quite peaceful at that time of day and your shopping experience should be more pleasant as a result.

As an alternative, you might consider setting aside a block of time when you can shop leisurely. This might enable you to test samples, to sip a cappuccino as you make your rounds through the aisle, and to browse shelves you might have overlooked in the past. If you put some work into making supermarket shopping a fun time, you might be surprised at the result.

Another way that you can better manage your time at the supermarket is by clipping coupons. This will mean that you will no longer have to spend time circling the supermarket searching for specials. Also, clipping coupons gives you a sense of control about your spending. This can make the entire shopping experience more enjoyable. In addition, you might be pleasantly surprised at the amount of money you save by using coupons.

While you cannot entirely control what happens to you at the supermarket, you can control your reactions to various events. For instance, if you run into a clerk or a cashier that is being unhelpful, resist the urge to lose your cool. Instead, deal with the disgruntled employee in a calm, rational manner. You should notice that your stress level decreases a great deal, once you have control of your emotions.

If the situation with a supermarket employee becomes intolerable, be sure to consult the store’s manager. He or she is paid to listen to your concerns and to try to make the peace. If you don’t get satisfaction after talking with the manager, consider contacting the company’s corporate headquarters. While taking such a step might seem stressful, it will actually reduce your stress over the long run. If you register a complaint, the store might actually change its procedures, and you could find your future shopping trips to be less stressful as a result.

You’ll need to also keep calm when dealing with other customers. People in grocery stores are often in a hurry, and so they may appear to be rude. A forgiving attitude can help you to keep your stress level under control even in the most trying circumstances. Try not to take slights personally. Recognize that shoppers are human and they may act badly from time to time.

You can’t avoid going to the supermarket, even if it is a stressful experience. Therefore, you must learn to deal with the stress as best you can. Visiting the supermarket during off-peak times, trying to save money as much as possible, and keeping your temper under control can go a long way to cutting your stress.

Exercise: The Ultimate Stress-Reliever

Editor — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:45:02 +0000

Perhaps it’s the result of having a new job, a new mate, or a new baby. You are overwhelmed with a feeling of excitement. Yet, you feel inadequate as well. As a result, you are under a tremendous amount of stress. At times, you might feel as if there’s no relief in sight-as if you’re on a treadmill which shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

However, the secret to effectively dealing with the stress may be to get your body onto an actual treadmill. Exercise can be the key to stress relief. It’s an obvious antidote to fatigue. It can make you feel more energetic, improving your strength and resiliency. It has been shown that individuals who are more physically fit often experience fewer health troubles. In addition, exercisers are less likely to suffer from psychological problems such as depression, binge eating, or insomnia.

Without exercise, you are increasing the likelihood that you will be afflicted with colds, flu, or other medical problems. Aerobic exercise in particular can improve your cardiovascular system and decrease your anxiety level. Some studies have shown that, during aerobic exercise, a chemical is produced in the brain which helps to heal the body from stress-related conditions. You should exercise at least three days a week for 30 minutes at a time in order to improve not only your health but your mental outlook.

If you find it difficult to become motivated to exercise, there are a number of steps you can take. To begin with, you can join an exercise club. Knowing that you’ll have to pay dues to a gym may make it more likely that you will actually end up exercising. You might also consider enlisting the aid of a personal trainer. A trainer can provide powerful motivation, pushing you to complete exercises you never thought possible. Another idea is to join an exercise class. There, you’ll meet other people who are in a similar position. The camaraderie that develops between exercisers can help to reduce your stress level.

In general, exercise should make you feel less anxious. Your muscles become less tense and you will be less shaky after a round of exercise. It has also been shown that exercise leads to an hour and a half to two hours of relaxation response. This has also been referred to as the endorphin response. As a result, your mood will improve, enabling you to deal more effectively with stress.

Exercise can also improve your self-image. You’ll experience greater self-worth, which will, in turn, reduce your stress level. A confident person is an individual who knows how to handle stress without becoming flustered. As a result of exercise, you may also end up eating better. Your improved menu may also prove to be a stress reliever. For instance, if you give up caffeinated drinks, you might become less jittery.

In addition to your sessions in the gym, you should be looking for additional opportunities to exercise. This could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to work instead of driving, or playing touch football in the backyard with your children. The point is to get moving-and keep moving-at every available opportunity.

Exercise quickens the blood flow to your mind, offering the brain additional sugars and oxygen which can be important if you are concentrating. Exercise can also clear out waste products from the brain which can result in unclear thinking. You will also feel a greater sense of well-being as a result of exercise.

As has been shown here, exercise is beneficial for both the body and the mind. As a result, it can relax you when other techniques fail. By engaging in exercise, you free up your mind, enabling you to concentrate better and work more efficiently. Chances are you will not only feel better, you will look better as well. With your brain under control, you should experience less stress. Granted, exercise takes time and requires discipline, but it is well worth the exertion. The good feelings you get from a powerful exercise session can actually last for days. You may find that you actually look forward to working out because of the tremendous benefits it brings with it.

Prayer: The Silent Stress-Reliever

Editor — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:17:36 +0000

You may have first learned to pray at your mother’s knee. You decided that, in times of trouble, prayer could open up a pathway to enlightenment and peace. You might have said a prayer before a big test, before showing your parents your report card, or before the final football game of the season.

There appears to be a link between prayer and healing. Medical studies have even concluded that patients who have other people to pray for them tend to fare better than those without such prayer support. Whether it’s a single prayer or a flood of prayers, it has been said that prayer can move mountains-and that is particularly true when the mountain is debilitating illness.

Because of the connection between prayer and healing, it is no surprise that a number of doctors recommend prayer and meditation as stress relievers. Prayer forces an individual to take time out, to spend some quiet time alone with one’s thoughts. Prayer also requires that a person look outward toward a Superior Being for strength and support. Prayer can enable an individual to re-gain focus and concentration so that he or she can better work through problems and therefore experience less stress.

Prayer has been shown to be a positive energy force. It makes an individual feel wanted and loved by a Higher Power. It can help to motivate a person to seek solutions rather than to simply complain about his or her problems. Prayer can enable an individual to see difficulties in a new light, which can contribute to stress reduction.

It is important to point out that prayer for stress relief can come in a variety of forms. For instance, there is spoken prayer, where an individual recites words to his or her Creator. This may be the most basic form of prayer. Whether it’s an Our Father, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, or a quick ejaculation such as “Lord, help me,” prayer opens a window to communication to the Almighty and therefore leads to feelings of comfort.

Another type of prayer is meditation. This can be a particularly effective stress-reliever. Meditation forces an individual to contemplate something other than his or her own problems, whether it’s nature, a verse of Scripture, a scene from the life of God, or some other source. The reflection can lead to quiet contemplation which can slow one’s heart beat, lower one’s blood pressure, and even lead to feelings of euphoria.

A number of 12-step recovery programs have prayer as their foundation. The appeal to a Higher Power helps an individual to put his or her problems into perspective. Prayer recognizes that the individual is not alone-that there is a greater Being guiding his or her life. Prayer, in essence, can help individuals to cope when other methods-particularly drug or alcohol use-have failed.

Surveys show that the vast majority of Americans believe in God, so prayer is not a foreign concept to them. However, many Americans haven’t prayed in years. They may be afraid of condemnation from God or from other people. They may simply not know the words they should use. They may even feel so unworthy that they cannot summon up the courage to pray.

However, one advantage to prayer is that it can be picked up quickly. If you find it difficult to pray, consider picking up a book on prayer from a bookstore or from a religious group. You might even consider joining a prayer group or Bible study group in order to enrich your prayer life. If you’re still having trouble, you might consult with a pastor to find some effective prayer strategies.

The stresses of work and home can seem overwhelming at times. As a result, a number of people find that they must take time out to pray in order to better handle the many challenges they face. Prayer is like anything else-the more you do it, the more comfortable you become doing it. Even if you don’t have a specific faith tradition, prayer can be a powerful weapon in your arsenal against stress. If you start and end your day with prayer, you may be amazed at how your stress level seems to plummet.

Lower Your Stress

Editor — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:04:51 +0000

If you are living an extremely stressful life then you are probably looking for ways to cut down your stress and increase your health. Here are some tips on lowering your stress fast and easy.

Stress affects everyone during their lifetime, no matter what the situation such as a difficult job, difficult relationship or problems with children. If you are suffering from stress there are a few things that you can do to control your stress or lower it.

A great tip to control stress is to keep a stress journal. Many people don’t realize what in their lives are causing them stress. If you are suffering from stress, keep a journal and make entries every time you feel stress. You might be able to pinpoint your stress and make changes in your life to lower your stress.

Another great idea is to make time in your busy schedule to relax. Take this time to do the things that you want to accomplish or relax in a bath. Find ways that relax you instead of agitate you.

You also might want to watch your diet. Stay away from caffeine and high sugared drinks. These beverages can keep you wired all day long and stop you from falling asleep in time. So follow these tips to cut down on your stress.

Cut Down on Stress

Editor — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:30:24 +0000

Many people live busy lives. They are constantly running around commuting to work, driving their kids all over town and doing chores. Many people suffer from lots of stress. Not only can stress make life uncomfortable but stress can also increase health risks for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you are suffering from stress, here are some great tips.

Stress comes in many different forms. There is actually good types of stress that motivate people and inspire them to be successful and then there is bad stress which most of us experience. Stress can be extremely uncomfortable and drain us of precious energy. If you are experiencing stress then try the following.

Keep a journal to figure out where stress is actually coming from. You might be surprised that your stress comes from one or two activities such as commuting or rushing home to cook dinner. Focusing on what causes stress can help you conquer it by either removing that specific activity out of your life or taking steps to minimize the activity.

It is also important that you get a good nights rest each night. Many people are stressed out because they are not well rested and are doing too many activities without the necessary energy.

It is also a good idea to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Many people that work out use their exercise sessions as a way to release energy. If you are upset or mad, work out and release your frustrations. So if you are experiencing stress check out the above tips and cut down on your stress.

The Stress of Mental Illness

Editor — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:03:00 +0000

It might have started with a panic attack during your algebra exam in high school. It then might have progressed into depression in college, and post-partum depression after the birth of your first child. At times, you might have even felt so desperate that you wanted to commit suicide.

Or perhaps you have a brother who seems in the grips of full-blown paranoia. No matter how much you try, you just cannot reach him. He’s convinced that the FBI is watching his every move, and no one can convince him otherwise. You want him to seek professional help, but he is reluctant to do so.

Mental illness can create tremendous stress for a family. Because the illness is so misunderstood, there is the problem of the stigma attached to it. You might be ashamed or embarrassed, either by your own mental illness or that of a close family member or friend. You may feel as if you are all alone, that no one else could possibly understand what you are going through.

Mental illness routinely creates financial stress for families. Sometimes, overspending is a sign of manic-depressive disorder. A depressed person might invest too much of the family income on a collection of guns or hunting knives. Disputes over finances can create great tensions for families, making it difficult for them to cope.

In addition, mental illness creates tensions within interpersonal relationships. You might be angry with a partner’s mood swings-not understanding that it is a situation beyond his or her control. You may be frustrated with a brother who doesn’t seem able to hold down a job. You may simply not understand a sister whose promiscuous lifestyle you consider to be dangerous.

The important thing to realize is that, while the stress of mental illness can seem unbearable at times, it is entirely manageable. If you are the individual suffering from mental illness, make an appointment to see a reputable therapist. He or she can help you sort out your problems and can recommend a psychiatrist who can find the medication that is right for you.

Part of the stress of mental illness can be the difficulty involved in finding a medication that works. You may find the side-effects of a particular drug difficult to deal with at first. Psychiatrists say it is best if you follow the doctor’s recommendation and try to manage the side-effects as best you can. Going off your medication can have disastrous consequences-and can lead to a great deal more stress.

At times, you might find that your mental illness requires you to go into the hospital for a time. Such hospitalizations can increase your stress level. However, if you think of the hospital stays as just steps on the road to recovery, you will be able to handle the stress much more effectively.

Coping with another’s mental illness can be even more stressful. Mental illness can be quite unpredictable, so it can drain your emotional reserves. It can be highly difficult dealing with a situation that changes so abruptly from one minute to the next. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to join a support group for family members of the mentally ill. This can be tremendously cathartic. You will be able to talk to other people who are going through the same things that you are going through. You can draw comfort and strength from this network of individuals. Some members of your support group may even allow you to call them at home to discuss your problems further. There is no substitute for a listening ear, especially in the rough times.

You may also want to consider family counseling. In this way, the entire family can be involved in a loved one’s recovery from mental illness. You’ll be able to learn healthy coping strategies for dealing with another’s illness, and you will be able to communicate in an open, supportive atmosphere.

There is little doubt that mental illness can lead to life-long stress. However, with a little bit of effort, you can learn to manage this stress effectively. And you will find that you and your family are better off as a result.