In the United States, about 77% of the adult population reports that they regularly experience physical symptoms as a result of stress. These symptoms can include anything from fatigue and muscle soreness to headaches, a lack of appetite, and everything in between. If you feel that your health is suffering as a result of stress, it’s time to work towards a more peaceful and less stressful lifestyle.
Determine the Triggers of Your Stress
Begin by figuring out what’s triggering your stress in the first place. Some of the most common stress causes include:
- dissatisfaction with employment
- divorce or relationship troubles
- financial problems
- loss of employment
Only by having a true understanding of what’s causing your stress can you work towards overcoming these issues.
Bring It To God
Understand that it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed out beyond your control, and that is one of the best times to reflect and turn to your faith. Reconnecting with all things spiritual can be just the medicine you may need. Finding a Bible study group or connecting with people of similar faith will help accomplish this. This is one of the reasons Altrua HealthShare was established.
Assess Your Diet and Nutrition
Make an effort to eat healthier, even when you’re stressed (easier said than done). When you’re feeling on-edge, you might want nothing more than to indulge in your favorite comfort foods. However, sticking with healthy foods such as veggies, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins will properly fuel and nourish your body. You should also try to avoid excessive caffeine and sugar intake when stressed.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Rest
Prioritize your sleep quantity and quality. Make sure you’re getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night; doing so will give your body the time it needs to rejuvenate, recover, and be prepared for the challenges of the day ahead.
Learn How to Better Manage Your Time
Stress is often brought on by having too much to get done and not enough time in which to do it. If this is a current cause of stress for you, take steps to improve your time management. Learn to prioritize tasks and utilize a planner to keep on-track. Also, learn how to say “no” to projects that will overwhelm you.
Try Yoga or Meditation
You might be surprised at what a difference a little bit of exercise can make in reducing your stress and relieving tension. Any physical exercise is good for reducing stress, but relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation, and even tai chi or breathing exercises can be very effective at calming your mind. Even taking time to read your Bible and pray can be a form of meditation and stress management in its own way. For more information about becoming a member, visit our website here.