Stress management

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:

•     Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. Think about which things are most important, and do those first.

•        Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and what does not. Think about other things that might work better.

•       Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Don't smoke.

 

•            Try out new ways of thinking. When you find yourself starting to worry, try to stop the thoughts. Work on letting go of things you cannot change. Learn to say "no."

 

• Speak up. Not being able to talk about your needs and concerns creates stress and can make negative feelings worse. Assertive communication can help you express how you feel in a thoughtful, tactful way.
• Ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.

 

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What is stress?

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment or response. Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you -- and many things that you do to yourself -- put stress on your body.
 

How stress affect your health:
 

Stress can disturb the body's internal balance or equilibrium, leading to physical symptoms like:

 Headaches

 Upset stomach

 Elevated blood pressure

 Chest pain

 Sleeping problems

 Emotional problems can also result from stress,these problems include:

 depression,  

 panic attacks

 and other forms of anxiety and worry.

 

What are the main causes of Stress or depression?
 

There are a number of factors that may increase the chance of depression, including the following

•  Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.

• Certain medications. For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, sch as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression.
• Conflict. Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
• Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.
• Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is passed genetically from one generation to the next. The exact way this happens, though, is not known.
• Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring.

·         Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or is a reaction to the illness.

         being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.

• Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.
• Depression – living with depression

 

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