Distress to de-stress
Long-term stress can damage the body and cause conditions such as high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, mental breakdown, and make you more susceptible to heart disease and strokes.
However, there are many ways in which we can tackle stress in our lives, and learn to cope better.
Eat well
Your health will suffer if you don't eat a balanced diet.
So, make sure you eat a good balance of foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables to make sure you are getting all the vitamins your body needs, and starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, pasta, rice and bread to make sure your body gets all the energy it needs. Make sure you eat a good breakfast too, to help you to perform at your best.
Try to eat less junk food or sugary foods. Also, reduce your intake of caffeine (which is a stimulant) - switch to drinking water instead - aim for 8 glasses per day.
See the healthy balance section for more information.
Keep fit
Physical activity helps you to unwind and causes the brain to produce endorphins (natural "feel good" hormones which make you feel relaxed and invoke a sense of well-being).
So, why not visit the gym or the swimming pool, go for a brisk walk or jog, get outside and have a game of footie with your friends? Or, why not take up a relaxation exercise such as yoga or Tai Chi?
See the healthy balance section for more information.
Fags, booze & illegal substances
Your health will suffer if you smoke, take drugs, or drink too much alcohol. Add the effects of stress to this and you could end up feeling really poorly.
See the what's your poison section for more information.
Manage your time
You are only human and you can only do what is humanly possible. Don't try to cram more than one day's work and activities into one day.
Prioritise things - make a list of everything you need to do in order of priority, and mark things off as you do them. What began as a seemingly unmanageable list will soon be whittled down into a realistic set of tasks which you can achieve within a reasonable timescale.
It's good to talk
Nothing could be easier. Have a chat to a friend, or somebody you feel at ease with. Although it won't solve the problem completely, just getting things off your chest can make you feel better and help to put things in perspective.
Recharge your batteries
Take some time out to relax, recuperate, regenerate, and recharge your batteries.
Go for a walk in the countryside, draw or paint, read a book, have lunch with a friend, take a bath, have a massage, listen to some relaxing music, or try aromatherapy, Tai Chi or relaxation exercises - anything you enjoy that will allow you to switch off for a while and allow your body and mind to recover.
Also, make sure you get enough sleep too - most people need about 7 or 8 hours of good quality sleep per night.
Contacts
The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
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