Being the busy ladies that we are, it is common for women to be under extreme amounts of stress and not even realize it. Stress can show up in the form of belly fat, muscle tension, headaches and more! All the more reason we should get rid of stress!
The CGS Team understands how hard financially independent women work and wanted to bring some insight on how to spot the stressors in your life, including how to get rid of stress symptoms.
Stress may never go away completely when you have a million things to do, but it can be put in check so you can stay as happy and healthy as possible!
How to spot and get rid of stress
Stress Basics
According to The American Institute of Stress, there are multiple types of stress. These include chronic stress, acute stress, eustress and distress.
Chronic stress is the most common and least acknowledged. This is the stress of daily life such as work, school, and bills. Long-term exposure to this type of stress can lead to health problems later on in life. This stress is ignored because the routine of daily life is required.
Acute stress is when you are being put in a challenging situation or out of your comfort zone. Acute stress puts your body in defense mode when you are in a new or emergency situation, such as a presentation at work, a free throw during a game, or when you need to slam on your brakes to prevent a car accident.
Eustress is the stress in your daily life that can yield positive results; including marriage, children, or a new job. People who are experiencing eustress typically respond to it with a sense of hope or meaning.
Distress is the stress in your daily life that can yield negative results, including divorce, work problems or financial difficulty. Some symptoms of any type of stress include:
- Lack of concentration
- Anxiety
- Body tension and pain
- Increased heart rate
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability
- Lack of sleep
- Eating more
- Hair loss
Experiencing any of the symptoms of stress can have negative effects on your mind and body.
Dealing with Stress
If you know that you have been under a lot of pressure at work, or can’t seem to save any money, do your best to maintain a positive mindset and outlook. As difficult as that may be, it is the first step in tackling the negativities that stress may bring.
Staying active and eating a healthy diet can help get stress in check. Getting in a good sweat session at the gym or going for a walk outside can help give you a clear mind and release tension to help tackle any issues you may be dealing with.
Also, make sure that you have time to treat yourself and relax. Try yoga or meditating. Allow yourself relaxation time to put all your worries aside, even for as little as 5 minutes.
Read 7 Reasons to Start Meditating. Lastly, getting a good night’s sleep is essential in combating stress. Experts recommend at least 7-8 hours a night for the best results.
Managing Stress
There are times when stress is going to stay. In these situations, managing stress is the best thing you can do. We love the “Four A’s” recommended by the Helpguide Organization. Read what they have to say about managing stress:
- Avoid unnecessary stress. Not all stress can be avoided, but by learning how to say no, distinguishing between “shoulds” and “musts,” and steering clear of people or situations that stress you out, you can eliminate many daily stressors.
- Alter the situation. If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Be assertive instead of bottling up your feelings. Let others know about your concerns. Be willing to compromise and try meeting others halfway on an issue.
- Adapt to the stressor. When you can’t change the stressor, try reframing problems or focusing on positive things in your life. If a task at work has you stressed, focus on the aspects of your job you do enjoy. Always look at the big picture. Is this really something worth getting upset about?
- Accept the things you can’t change. There will always be stressors in life that you can’t do anything about. Learn to accept the inevitable and look for the upside in a situation—even the most stressful circumstances can be an opportunity for growth. Learn to accept that no one, including you, is ever perfect.
Related: 4 Ways to Reduce Stress
For more information on stress and how to manage it, visit the Helpguide Organization’s article.
Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to combat stress? Share your thoughts, questions and feedback with the community by leaving a comment below!
