Acupuncture

Pediatric Care

Herbal Medicine

Stress Symptoms and How to Overcome it

What is Stress, what are the causes and how to overcome it

Stress is the body’s reaction to the demands of daily life.  Stress can be caused by many factors; hectic schedules, problems at work, family issues and lack of sleep.  If you ask people to explain what causes stress for them, they may provide different answers.  We all react differently to stress. What causes stress for one person may not be the case for someone else.  How we respond to life’s demands is critical.  Some stress can be good.  It can help with focus, energy or encourage you to meet deadlines.  However, without stress prevention, a person’s health can be affected leading to headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression.

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms Emotional Symptoms
  • Memory problems
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Poor judgment
  • Seeing only the negative
  • Anxious or racing thoughts
  • Constant worrying
  • Moodiness
  • Irritability or short temper
  • Agitation, inability to relax
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Sense of loneliness and isolation
  • Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms
  • Aches and pains
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Nausea, dizziness
  • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Frequent colds
  • Eating more or less
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Isolating yourself from others
  • Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
  • Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
  • Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Dealing with Stress

As practitioners, we can offer practical tips and focus on how to manage stress to prevent it from becoming chronic and overwhelming:
  • Add laughter to your daily routine
  • Learn to relax body and mind
  • Listen to your body – when your body experiences discomfort such as headaches, stomachaches or insomnia, it’s time for relaxation, meditation or exercise
  • Get into physical activity – jogging, hiking or a short walk can improve mood and reduce symptoms
  • Eat well – keep a healthy diet (no overeating or under-eating)
  • Make sure to get enough sleep
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol increases stress levels

With a proper diagnosis, implementing these practices into your patient’s daily routines and using the right herbal formulas, you can help your patients reduce stress in their life and get them on the road to a healthy mind and healthy body.

Resources : Table url http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm