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Dealing With Stress Doesn't Have to be Stressful!

By Donna Stark

I just received a message from my sister telling me how stressed she is and when I asked her why, I was surprised by the answer. I was surprised because to me, the issue that she was wringing her hands over did not seem like a big deal. But isn't that how it usually works? What may be perceived as a super stressful situation to one person may not even warrant a second thought to another, and that's because everyone manages stress differently. Our triggers, actions, and solutions can be completely different from those around us just as there are completely different types of stress we all deal with.

What are the Types of Stress?

It really is hard to avoid stress in your life. In fact, I would even go out on a limb to say it is nearly impossible! It can be both a positive and a negative force in your life, but the bad stress is what we are going to look at today. Here are some examples.

  • Acute stress - The type of stress that comes from a sudden and traumatic event, such as an accident, an emergency situation, a problem with your child, a move, or an illness. It is short-term, and because of this, it doesn't cause as extensive damage as chronic stress does. Symptoms can range from sweaty hands to mood swings to moderate health issues.
  • Chronic stress - Chronic stress is the type of stress that wears people away day after day after day. It can last for years, it can wreak havoc on the body, and it can ruin relationships and destroy lives. It's the type of stress that comes from long-term poverty, dysfunctional families, toxic marriages, or chronic diseases. Unlike acute stress, which appears suddenly and is very obvious, chronic stress is insidious. In fact, it often becomes so familiar that many people don't even address it. Chronic stress can cause serious physical and mental health issues, such as heart attacks, stroke, cancer, and suicide.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress can significantly affect your physical and mental health which is why it is critical to take steps or to get help in order to reduce it. Here are some suggestions on what you can do on your own.

  • Exercise - Daily exercise helps to reduce your stress while also improving your mood
  • Self-love - Make time for yourself to do something that you enjoy and that will help you relax
  • Breathe - Deep-breathing exercises can be very calming and extremely effective against stressful moments
  • Anticipate - Try to become aware of your stress triggers and take the appropriate steps to either avoid them or to adapt to them

Less Stress, Better Life

It can be hard to identify the stress in your life, and if you can't do it on your own, don't be afraid to reach out for some help. It's important to remember that you are not alone!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hillsboro, Ore.

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