ASK THE EXPERT – As seen in the Surprise Independent, April 29, 2015
While a certain amount of stress can be beneficial, when it motivates us to perform well in an athletic competition or to meet a deadline, often stress is negative. And everyone has stress. Whether it’s related to work, finances, family, personal health or other factors, stress is a frequent and sometimes disruptive visitor in our lives.
According to the American Psychological Association, poorly managed stress can be a precursor to physical and psychological ailments including heart disease and headaches, as well as anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Stress can also negatively impact our activity level and eating habits.
Here are some tips on living with less stress:
• Define the stressors in your life. Take note of stressful situations that you have control over and develop a plan to prevent or reduce such situations in the future. Try to avoid stressing over things you cannot control.
• Identify your stress signals. Do you bite your nails, twist your hair, tap your feet, clench your jaw or tighten your head, neck or shoulder muscles? Make a conscious effort to interrupt your stress signals. Take some deep breaths, go for a walk; anything to break the pattern.
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• Practice managing your stress with techniques such as prayer, meditation, yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, physical activity or counseling. Stress may be unavoidable, but the better we learn to manage it, the less impact it will have on our lives.
Rhonda Zonoozi is an exercise physiologist and certified health & wellness coach at the Sun Health Center for Health & Wellbeing in Surprise.
Information provided in the section is from a multidisciplinary team of Sun Health professionals at the Center for Health and Wellbeing, based in Surprise, Arizona. However, it should not be a substitute for medical advice from your physician. To submit a question for consideration, email [email protected].
