3 Ways Stress Can Be Managed
Stress can build up in your body and lead to anxiety, a lack of sleep, and even serious illnesses. But stress is a normal part of life. In fact, when the body responds to stressful situations by releasing hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure, amplify brain function, and raise levels of alertness – it’s actually a good thing. Unfortunately, when stress becomes overwhelming or continues for too long, it can damage your mind and body. Luckily stress can be managed, and it can be managed naturally too.
It really is true that stress can often be managed without medications (though you should listen to the advice of your medical doctor as well). Stress is not just a feeling – it's a biological response to situations or events that affect either your body or mind. When you feel stressed, your body activates the stress response system, which includes changes in your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and more. This can be helpful if you need to respond quickly to a physical threat, but those changes don't help you with everyday stressors such as work and relationships.
Here are some natural ways you can manage your stress:
1. Name what is causing you stress. If you’re normally a calm, relaxed person, it may be something in your life that you can change to reduce your stress. Yes, your boss or co-worker may really be the root of your stress and you may be able to directly change that stress by talking to them, avoiding them, or even changing jobs. And if you name a stress that is not so easily changed, you may want to at least determine a time for how long you will need to deal with this stress until it can be changed. Knowing that the stress has an end date may help you cope better.
2. Talk about it. Seeing a counsellor like someone at Yellow Gazebo can sometimes make a huge difference in how you take on the world. Whether just venting about your feelings is the help you need, getting support for your ideas is your goal, or even changing your perspective altogether is the key, counselling can provide short-term and long-term care that can be foundational to managing stress.
3. Take care of your body too. Whether you just need better sleep, a better diet, more exercise or all of the above, it can make a dramatic difference to also employ the help of a manual practitioner for advice. Massage therapists can massage away stressful knots, acupuncturists can affect body systems all over and reduce tension, and physiotherapy, chiropractic, and osteopathy can help you (with manipulation and exercise) to improve the way your body moves and make you feel physically improved all over.
Lastly, remember that as we age, reducing stress can get complicated. Give yourself the opportunity to see stress management as a new life-long process that you’re taking on. Encourage yourself to take moments of peace regularly, and make sure you connect regularly with people who encourage and support you. You deserve to be loved!
If you’d like some more information on how we can help you manage your stress, would like to book a free consultation, or would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment at Yellow Gazebo, please give us a call at 416-909-2334, email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com, or use the online booking link below. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way to optimum health.
