Psychologists have determined that a person’s overall stress level is based on the number and strength of stressors in that person’s life at one time. The most powerful stressor is the death of a very close loved one, such as a child, spouse, or parent. Following that are divorce, imprisonment, illness, money problems, and unemployment. Stress results from a positive change, too. Getting married, having a baby, landing a dream job, or moving to a new home all exert their own type of stress.
When a person has several of these factors at play in his or her life at one time, it adds up to stress. Fortunately, a few simple habits can help in the handling of stress.
Nutritionists believe that stress uses up nutrients, particularly B vitamins. It is absolutely essential that a person under stress take a good multivitamin in addition to eating a balanced healthy diet. There are stress formulas on the market, as well as supplements for stress to take along with a multi. Be careful you are not overdosing on the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, and E. Pantothenic acid (B-5) is sometimes called the “stress vitamin.” B-6 and B-12 are needed for energy production, but they don’t stimulate the system and cause insomnia, like caffeine or other energizers. Magnesium is thought of as the “stress mineral.” Zinc and calcium also help the body deal with the ravages of stress.
When dealing with stress, it is essential that a person get adequate sleep. Unfortunately, sleep is often the first thing to go. Whatever the stressors, worrying about them will not cause circumstances to get any better. Many times, our reaction to and perception of the circumstances causes more trouble than the circumstances themselves.
A cup of chamomile tea at bedtime is safe, relaxing, and often promotes restful sleep. At a health food store, you can also find relaxing tea blends. These often include hops and passionflower, in addition to chamomile. If the blend contains skullcap as well, consider it a plus. Skullcap is can be very soothing.
Other supplements that are reported to help with sleep are valerian herb and melatonin. If the tea doesn’t do it, you can try one of these. Another option is an OTC sleep medication containing diphenhydramine. It’s important not to become dependent on a sleep aid, since medicine-induced sleep is not exactly the same as natural sleep. It’s better than no sleep, though.
A common stress symptom is muscle tension, particularly in the shoulders and neck. Ibuprofen is good for this kind of pain, if you are able to take it. Acetaminophen works, too, but seems to be better for headaches. If you need an occasional pain reliever, be sure not to take more than is recommended, and speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing ongoing pain.
If it’s getting to be too heavy a load, get help. When a friend says, “Is there anything I can do to help?” say, “YES!” and tell them the first thing you think of. Let them entertain the kids or prepare dinner. Let them lighten the load for you.
Exercise is a very important component of stress management. A daily walk is a great way to work off steam. If you are an introvert, you can walk alone, using that time to seek solutions or get your mind off your troubles. If you’re an extrovert, your walk may help more by having a buddy to laugh with or complain to a bit. Laughter, by the way, is an excellent medicine for stress.
But don’t stop with regular aerobic exercise. A person under stress will benefit greatly from slow sustained stretching with awareness of one’s breathing. Yoga is the classic example of this type of exercise. The body tends to harbor stress in different areas. Gentle stretching and breathing will help that tension to dissipate.
A final area to consider when managing stress is organization. Declutter your home and life if possible. Again, you can enlist help if the decision-making is too much for you. If there is a place for everything, and you are faithful to put things back, the added stress of looking for lost keys, shoes, etc., is eliminated.
