Everyday stressors like work, relationships and money can have major impacts on our emotional, behavioral, and physical health. Stress in short bursts that can be a positive however, prolonged stress can cause long-term health risks.
Recognizing and coping with stress can help improve your mental, physical, and overall well-being so you can live a healthier and happy life.
Understanding and Identifying Stress
Stress is your body’s natural response to emotional, physical, or psychological pressures. It can often contribute to feelings of irritability, fear, exhaustion, and frustration.
If you think stress may be affecting you, here are some signs you can watch out for:
- Psychological: Difficulty concentrating, excess worry, anxiety, and memory trouble.
- Emotional: Feelings of anger, irritation, frustration, and mood swings.
- Physical: High blood pressure, changes in weight or other health irregularities, as well as frequent illnesses or infections.
- Behavioral: Poor self-care, lack of interest in enjoyable activities, impulsiveness, or substance abuse.
5 Tips for Reducing Stressors
There are many sources of stress, however, most people experience stress as a result of common causes such as major life changes, relationship difficulties, and finances. Sometimes the best way to manage your stress is by changing your situation, while other times you may need to change the way you respond to the situation.
- Stay Active: Taking a walk to change up your scenery can relieve stress in just minutes. Not only is it great for changing your state of mind, but it also brings the physical benefits of exercise.
- Eat Well: Increasing nutrient-dense whole foods may increase your deficiencies in nutrients that are essential for regulating stress and mood such as magnesium and B vitamins.
- Nourish Your Mind: Make time for personal growth and self-reflection by reading, journaling, or learning something new. Self-reflection helps you explore who you are and creates more space for positive thinking.
- Work Through Challenges: Instead of trying to fight stress, do your best to develop healthy responses like setting boundaries, taking time to pause, and reframing your thoughts when tension arises.
- Get Advice: Talk out stressful situations with family, friends, a medical professional, or someone else you trust. Having a support system and people you can depend on can offer a different perspective, helping you overcome life’s hurdles.
Explore Happy Habits
Finding happiness is something that many people strive for, yet it can seem difficult or impossible to achieve – especially under stressful times. When you’re in the midst of a stressful situation, your emotional state can take a toll. That’s why it’s important to explore habits that can not only bring you joy, but lower your stress levels as well.
As you go about your day, consider keeping an eye out for pleasant things in your life – big or small. They can be things such as knowing that someone loves you or being on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. Focusing on positive thoughts can decrease negative emotions and boost your mood. With a little practice, you may even become more aware of all the positive things around you.
Experiencing Financial Stress? We Can Help
We understand money can be a big stressor and that everyone’s financial situation is unique. If you’re worried about debt, stressed about purchasing that new vehicle or home, or need some other type of financial assistance, we’re here to help! At Peach State we strive to ease your financial worry with reliable, affordable, and flexible solutions for all your needs.
Contact us today and let us help you put your mind at ease!
