Canderel

Soothe your body stresses

Many people view stress as a psychological or mental issue, but it can also have a direct biological impact on your body.

Modern life moves at a very fast pace and the daily routine of work pressures, transport headaches and parenting responsibilities can leave many people feeling stressed.

This can be a good thing in small doses, as stressful circumstances often motivate people and make them more productive.

However, it is important to understand the effects stress can have on your body and take steps to manage its impact.

People in stressful jobs are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, stress can upset the part of the nervous system that controls the heart and disturb the neuroendocrine system, which is responsible for releasing hormones.

Stress is believed to also be contributing factor in common ailments such as backaches, headaches, colds and insomnia.

Experts believe the key to managing stress lies in identifying its sources, taking control of the situation and thinking positively.

Once you have isolated the causes of your stress - it could be a problem at work, difficult personal relationships or an ongoing issue at home - you can develop effective techniques to combat it.

Physical activity can be a great way to relieve stress because it helps you to relax and releases endorphins in the body that create a feeling of wellbeing.

A pleasant distraction, such as going for a run or joining a local sports team, should help you to momentarily forget about your worries and feel more equipped to deal with them when you return.

You may be surprised by how many stressful situations can be avoided. Learning how to say “no”, knowing your limits and sticking to them, can allow you to focus on the more important things and instantly lift that weight from your shoulders.

Give yourself time to step back and talk through your concerns with a trusted friend or colleague. Also, looking at the situation from a more positive perspective and focusing on the bigger picture will help to adjust your emotional reaction and lower your stress levels.

Rather than causing yourself more stress by worrying about how to rectify a situation, look after your wellbeing by indentifying the causes and trying some of these steps.