Art of Self Renewal IV: Stress Survival Secrets

We tend to get Stressed now and then. It’s a natural response under certain conditions. We need to be concern when our stress is getting out of hand and interfering with our lifestyle. What problems can too much stress cause?

We all know what it feels like to get emotionally mangled by the weight of day to day struggles. Our bosses yell at us, our spouses yell at us – it feels like an endless circle where getting ahead at the office can leave us with so little energy for home that home turns into battlefield that leaves us with no energy for work.

There are some people who only get stress from time to time and there are others who suffer from chronic stress. Obviously, it is easier to deal with stress that only arises occasionally, while it is almost impossible to get away from chronic stress.

Chronic stress is a condition in which stress arrives routinely and can often stay for days, weeks, and even months at a time, leaving people almost unable to think about anything other than everything that there is to worry about . Unfortunately, the mere sense of worry is not the worst the worst of it. It also leaves people fatigued and unable to concentrate and it can lead to problems with memory and even leave people unable to sleep right. Then, in its worst forms, it can even lead to a complete nervous breakdown, leaving the sufferer incapable of doing anything.

On top of the mental symptoms, chronic stress also leads to a weakened immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to disease. Then, if left unchecked, chronic stress will cause high blood pressure, coronary disease and even strokes. This is because stress tends to elevate the blood pressure, which is very dangerous if it continues too long. And as the heart continues to pump too quickly, it will swell up and eventually break down. Also, stress tells the body to create more platelets, which are designed to stop bleeding in cuts. Unfortunately, these can also lead to blood clots, such as those that cause hearts attacks and strokes. Thus, chronic stress can have serious repercussions on a person’s physical health.

One source of chronic stress can actually be post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a syndrome in which the person has had some sort of sudden, severe stress that has shocked the mind so fiercely that it is incapable of moving beyond that moment. In fact, there is research showing that a severe shock to the system can actually change the chemistry of the brain so that it is becomes suddenly accustomed to stress and it actually desires to stay in a state of stress. Thus, instead of moving beyond a severe shock, the brain is stuck in it and it is almost addicted to the sense of stress. Thus, rather than finding a way to come to grips with the problem, the brain is actually trying to return to it so that it can feel that shock again. This may seem to be counterintuitive, since the stress is usually a very unpleasant one, but the sudden rush of chemicals to the brain is not unlike using a drug. And, after that experience, the brain wants more of those chemicals in order to get its “fix”.

However, a sudden shock is not the only source of chronic stress. In fact, chronic stress can also result from a long period of stress. This may come from an intense period of work, or a rough period of time with the family, or even a project that was both enjoyable and a high priority. Just like post-traumatic stress disorder, the brain has become accustomed to having all those exciting chemicals flowing through it, so wants to return to the days when it was working at such an intense rate. Thus, once the brain is tuned for stress, it immediately goes back to it like a junkie returning to a dealer.

The problem, of course, is how to get the brain to get less accustomed to stress. Unfortunately, this is not easy, since the brain’s chemistry is now attuned to the feeling and its receptors now have a heightened sensitivity to stress. This is not easy, but it can be done.

People with chronic stress should seek relief through exercise, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep every night. All of these activities will help balance the mind and allow it to work more clearly while easing fatigue and the inability to concentrate. As well, a long vacation can provide some relief, as the simple act of getting away from it all will give the mind a chance to relax. Or, for the most severe cases, a person suffering from chronic stress may want to see a counselor or therapist who can help them through their memories and find some solutions. However, there is a certain stigma attached to this form of therapy, so people often shy away from seeking it. But people suffering from chronic stress should be afraid to ask for help and these people are more than happy to provide it.

Though chronic stress is difficult to deal with, it is not an impossible syndrome. Sufferers simply need to come to grips with their stress and find solutions that will work for them. Though it is a tough road to travel down, the rewards are immense for both mental and physical health. Thus, once chronic stress has been found, it should be dealt with immediately.

Reducing your stress is not difficult, a little time spent planning how to change your life can make a huge difference.
A small effort will go a long way to making you feel better about yourself and others.

Combat Stress

The first thing that you should do is to sit down and make a list of all the things that are causing you to be stressed out. It doesn’t matter whether or not you think something should be stressful – write down anything that genuinely is stressful to you. Then, go through the list again and see which things you can eliminate from your life.

Of course you won’t be able to eliminate everything that causes you stress – you will probably still have to go work, and deal with people you find difficult. The important thing is that there will be several items on your list that you can take steps to avoid and eventually eliminate from your life or at least cope better with.

Tips to Relieve Stress

1.Work On Your Attitude.

The most important point you can make about stress is that in most cases it’s not what’s out there that’s the problem, its how you react to it. Changing the way you think can change a life of stress and discomfort to a life of challenge and excitement. (Middle Class Mindset vs. World Class Mindset: Steve Siebold’s 177 Mental Toughness secrets of the World Class)

2. Think About Something Else.

Distract yourself – to break the thoughts that are producing your stress, you must think about something else. Anything will do, as long as it breaks the chain of bad thoughts.

3. Think Positive.

Thinking about a success or a past achievement is excellent when you’re feeling uncertain, remind yourself of all the good things you’ve achieved in the past, and tell yourself that you’re going to do the same in the future.

4. Take A Mental Vacation

Imagine yourself lying in warm sand on a beach in the Bahamas, a cool wind blowing off the ocean, the surf rolling in quietly in the background. It’s amazing what this can do to help you relax.

5. Stretch

A lot of us respond to stress with muscle tension. Ideally, we’d prefer to eliminate the cause of the stress, but stretching the muscles at least reduces the sensation of stress – the muscles relax, and we feel less tense.

6. Take A Hot Soak

Hot water works by defeating the stress response. When we’re tense and anxious, blood flow to our extremities is reduced. Hot water restores circulation, convincing the body it’s safe and that it’s ok to relax. Cols water must not be used because it has the opposite effect, and will increase tension.
An office alternative might be running hot water over your hands until you feel the tension starting to drain away.

7. Exercise.

Regular exercise will burn off some of the stress chemicals tension produces, and exercise will tire your muscles – a tired muscle is a relaxed muscle. (Thug Workout: Fitness from the streets)

8. Listen To Music

Music soothes as perhaps nothing else does. You can use it in two basic ways – to relax or to inspire. (Angels and Airwaves: Hymns of enlightenment)

If you are one of the many people who want to alleviate your stress, you can learn some simple techniques to help you get out of the vicious cycle of leading a stressful life. Dealing With Stress has instant tips that all you need about combatting the stress that is invading your every day life as well as the lives of those around you.

Related Articles:

1. Art of Self Renewal V: National Geographic Specials; Robert Sapolsky in Stress: Portrait of a Killer
2. Art of Self Renewal III: Stress management; Coping With everyday Problems
3. Art of Self Renewal VII: Ten Easy Relaxation Techniques
4. The Art of Self Renewal I
5. Survival Challenge
6. Sleep Deprivation: The Consequences of Lack of Sleep, tips and new studies