Are you suffering from too much stress?
According to Health Canada (1996),
26 % of people over the age of 18 said they were suffering from high chronic stress.
Are you at risk? Please take the stress test:
Answer each question by marking Y (yes) orN(no)
Do you frequently:
· Neglect your diet?
· Try to do everything yourself?
· Blow up easily?
· Seek unrealistic goals?
· Fail to see the humour in situation others find funny?
· Act rude?
· Make a “big deal” of everything?
· Look to other people to make things happen?
· Complain you are disorganized?
· Avoid people whose ideas are different from your own?
· Keep everything inside?
· Neglect exercise?
· Have few supportive relationships?
· Use sleeping pills and tranquilizers without doctor’s approval?
· Get too little rest?
· Get angry when you are kept waiting?
· Ignore stress symptoms?
· Put things off until later?
· Think there is only one right way to do something?
· Fail to build relaxation time into your day?
· Gossip?
· Race through the day?
· Spend a lot of time complaining about the past?
· Fail to get a break from noise and crowds?
If you answered yes to 14 or more of these questions, then you may be at risk of feeling stressed that can lead to health problems.
(Canadian Mental Health Association; 1996)
What are the signs of stress?
Many people may be suffering from high stress and do not know it. There are psychological and physical signs of feeling stressed.
Some psychological signs include:
• Increased anxiety
• Poor concentration
• Confusion
• Difficulty making decisions
• Increased fatigue
• A short temper or irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Depression or lack of happiness
Some physical signs include:
• Frequent headaches
• Increased muscle tension
• Problems sleeping
• Upset stomach
• Changes in appetite
• Increased blood pressure
Important: If you are feeling any of these signs repeatedly for several weeks, you should consult with your doctor about whether these signs are related tostress or something else.
How can I reduce stress?
Here are some suggestions that may help you to manage your stress better:
• Practice thinking positively.
• Share your feelings with supportive family, friends,
and health care professionals.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Learn and practice relaxation exercises (i.e.
meditation, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing exercises).
• Practice activities that you enjoy (i.e. going for
walks, listening to relaxingmusic, praying, reading,
gardening).
• Develop a good sense of humour
• Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.
• Get adequate sleep. Maintain a regular hour for
bedtime.
• Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs, or smoking to cope
with problems.
• Ask your doctor to refer you to a health care
professional who can help you with stress
management.
Facts About Stress and Your Health
Over time, the physiological strain that stress puts on your body, can contributeto the development or complication of several illnesses, for example:
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Disease/Angina
If you already suffer from a chronic illness, you may be at greater risk of feeling stressed. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes often require many lifestylechanges. The physical and emotional challenges of learning to manage achronic illness can be very stressful.
Important: Research has shown that if stress is managed well, there tends to be better adjustment and management of chronic illnesses.
Therefore, it is important to find ways of managing your stress that work well for you. This will help you toachieve a better quality of life.
FWTherapy FWT心理工作室
416-816-9721
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