Overcoming chronic stress by making small, simple changes - Karen Hourtovenko

It is sad to say, but stress takes over much of our lives. If you talk to your friends, colleagues or family, most will converse with you about all the bad or stressful events of their day. Stress could include finances, children and other relationship problems, friendships and work. – wow. That is just about every area of our lives.

How do you know if you are stressed? Well, there are specific symptoms that can suggest your life may require change. For example, muscle tension, irritability, inability to concentrate and physical responses such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure, crying, anger, anxiety and/or depression. With immediate stress, symptoms are increased heart rate, sweaty palms, rapid breathing and nervousness. This type of stress would be felt, for example, going on a first date, job interview or someone attacking you on the street.

In situations where stress is constant, the chemical stimulation in the body is continuous, causing symptoms of exhaustion, fatigue, memory loss, sickness, and increased consumption of alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. Chronic stress can cause major health concerns. For those with chronic stress, personality changes, inability to sleep, lack of judgment and concentration and even mental illness can be seen. For some people, stress can be the result of long work hours, increased workloads, lack of respect within the workforce, overbearing employers and fellow employees, higher-than-ever work expectations, raising children and working full time, single parenting, sick family members, bills, family challenges, unemployment — and the list goes on.

So, what can we do about it? Well, the answer lies within you. Start with putting your life into perspective. In the big picture, how important are your issues? Do you really have to be right? It is OK to let issues go. Be grateful for all that is good in your life. When you focus on the bad, you can miss what is good.

Writing down all of your thoughts, feelings and issues allows you to get them off your chest. Take a walk and enjoy nature. Focus on the beauty around you, keeping negative thoughts out. Seek counselling to assist you in letting issues go. Seek spiritual counsel to focus you on your life’s meaning. Have a massage to assist in relaxing muscles. And finally, exercise and eat healthy. Making small changes in your life will give you a sense of control that will bring peace, assisting you to look at your life through a different — and more positive — pair of glasses.

Karen Hourtovenko, RN(EC), is a health and wellness consultant who writes columns about healthy living for Northern Life.