How to Handle Stress?

Hi

Stress is a term you’re likely familiar with. You may also know exactly what stress feels like. However, what does stress exactly mean? This body response is natural in the face of danger, and it’s what helped our ancestors cope with occasional hazards. Short-term (acute) stress isn’t likely to cause any major health concerns.

This response all starts with a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. When you’re stressed, the hypothalamus sends signals throughout your nervous system and to your kidneys.

Women are more likely to experience more physical signs of stressed compared to their male counterparts.

Stress can overburden your mind with incessant worries

You may feel jittery from stress

Stress can make you feel hot

Being stressed can make you sweat

Digestive problems may occur

Stress can make you irritable, and even angry

Over time, stress can make you feel sad

Eighty percent of Americans are stressed at work, according to a recent study by Nielsen for Everest College.

Long-term stress can increase your risk of mental health disabilities

Low pay, unreasonable workloads, and hectic commutes were the top sources of tension, followed closely by obnoxious coworkers. What exacerbates the problem is that “people walk into work already laden with stress,” says Maria Gonzalez, the founder and president of Argonauta Strategic Alliances Consulting and the author of Mindful Leadership.

Insomnia may be stress-related

“If there is a hardship at home, you bring that to the office and it gets layered with your professional stress and — if you’re not careful — it can spiral out of control.”

Daytime sleepiness can happen when you’re stressed

How well you react to and manage daily stressors “impacts your relationships with other people, with yourself, and how others perceive you,” she says.

Justin Menkes, a consultant at Spencer Stuart and the author of Better Under Pressure says it’s critical “to get a handle on your reaction to the stressful things that happen to you in the moment.” Here are some techniques to do just that.

Chronic headaches are sometimes attributed to stress

Train yourself to recognize “your physiological signs of stress,” says Gonzalez. Perhaps your neck stiffens, your stomach clenches, or your palms sweat. These are all the result of what’s happening inside your body.

With stress, you may even find it difficult to breathe

“The minute you start to experience stress, your pulse races, your heart beats faster and hormones [including cortisol and adrenaline] are released,” she says.

“This compromises your immune system and your ability to experience relaxation.”

Acne breakouts can occur in some people, while others might have itchy rashes. Both symptoms are related to an inflammatory response from stress.