For Your Health’s Sake

Carolyn Guilford, CNC

Do you know that stress can affect your health without you being aware of it?  You may take certain signs and symptoms of stress —  headache, muscle aches or an upset stomach, for example — as signs of illness.  Stress can affect your body, your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions.  But recognizing stress for what it is, is the first step in managing stress.   If you’d like a copy of my “Signs of Stress”  which is a more comprehensive outline of the ways stress can manifest,  just call or write. See the info at the end of the article. 

Believe it or not, stress affects the immune system, the joints, muscles and bones, the skin,  the digestive system,  the lungs, and even our hair and our ears.  Unresolved stress can lead to heart attack, stroke, and cancer. It is vital that we learn to manage stress, for our health’s sake.

Here are the tips I give to clients:

Keep a schedule

Make a daily or weekly schedule.  This allows you to manage your time better for projects, meetings and other activities.  And be sure to schedule time for yourself, do something that you enjoy that is not related to school or work!

Don’t   Procrastinate

The longer you put things off, the more stress it will cause.  By preparing ahead of time   ( breaking up tasks into manageable parts, scheduling time ), you will avoid needless stress.  Plus getting tasks done ahead of time will provide free time later on.

Just Say No 

Don't be afraid to say no when your schedule is full.  Let persons know that you are in a busy time, but you’d be willing to help in the future. They will understand!

Give Yourself a Break

If you are overwhelmed, step back and analyze whatever is going on.  Go out for some fresh air, take a walk, get a healthy snack, and drink some water.  Become more mindful of how you use your breaks, time is precious!

Relax  

Relaxation techniques are wonderful for lowering your stress and anxiety levels.  Here are some of the best:  deep breathing, listening to slow, soothing music, meditation, and massage. And will lower your blood pressure. Visualizing positive experiences can work wonders in your life.

Healthy Foods & Exercise

Exercise will bring positive physical and mental changes while helping to reduce stress.  Eating fresh fruits and vegetables are the best for boosting the immune system.  Stay away from "pick me ups" (sugar, caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol) they will only provide a temporary fix to the problem.                                      

Sufficient Sleep

Sufficient sleep each night will prepare you to take on the next day's tasks renewed and rejuvenated.  Feeling sleepy will only slow you down and get you further behind.  Here are my tips to help you get the most out of your sleepy time:  go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time everyday, get regular exercise ( not right before bed ), keep the bedroom dark and quiet while sleeping, and at a comfortable temperature.

Keep Your Sense Of Humor

Laughter is always a great way to relieve stress. Laughter can have healing qualities. So stop whatever is stressing you, and read something funny, or engage in a funny sitcom, and get other people involved. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Know that laughter is contagious, so share your de-stressing activity with others who also appear to be stressed.

Live Today

There is no point in dwelling on the past; you cannot change it.  We can only hope to learn from our mistakes and try to avoid making the same ones in the future.  Focus your attention on your goals, not on missed opportunities.  The past is behind us, but the future we can change by our actions today.

Remember “Health is Wealth.”