What happens when you are stressed? Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease.
How do you measure stress?
Sometimes it is clear where stress is coming from. You can count on stress during a major life change such as the death of a loved one, getting married, or having a baby. But other times it may not be so clear why you feel stressed. It’s important to figure out what causes stress for you. Everyone feels and responds to stress differently. Tracking your stress may help. Get a notebook, and write down when something makes you feel stressed. Then write how you reacted and what you did to deal with the stress. Tracking your stress can help you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel. Then you can take steps to reduce the stress or handle it better.
How can you avoid stress?
Stress is a fact of life for most people. You may not be able to get rid of stress, but you can look for ways to lower it. You might try some of these ideas:
- Take 30 minutes to organize yourself: Making time to organize will make sure you are organized. Being organized will help you manage your time and make an endless task-list seem less intimidating.
- Do something nice for someone: Do-gooding is the selfless secret to decreasing your stress status. Not only will you feel better, you will temporarily free yourself of your circumstances and have gathered a refreshing new perspective.
- Exercise: Exercise is the ultimate stress reliever because you simultaneously release endorphins, increase your energy and build confidence. You’ll instantly feel better and be better-suited to handle any upcoming problems or projects.
- Enjoy the Outdoors: The quick break and fresh air will re-energize you and clear your mind.
