How To Identify Stress

A move, a new work project, a bumpy trip to work, the organization of the wedding, an extended trip, always having an impeccable house, wanting to lose weight for the summer, dedicate more time to the family, the schedule full of meetings … all of this can create stress, if we “let it”. Therefore, learning to identify stress can help us put a brake on it.

As a first measure and before determining if we are really “stressed” we must know that it affects a large portion of society. It is a mental and physical reaction generated by the need to be able to adapt to changes in your environment. It is then a “reflex” behavior because we adapt to pressures, both internal and external, with the aim that the body can continue to function.

Doctors and psychologists say that a balanced dose of stress is good for our health. How? Yes, such what you have read. It is that “positive stress” offers us greater vitality, vivacity, physical resistance and optimism. Suffering a high amount of stress for a long time causes the body to become unbalanced and we suffer from pessimism, lack of concentration, irritability and fatigue.

That is why it is vital to identify stress in time, in order to avoid, for example, the weakening of the immune system (which causes diseases), the acceleration of the loss of calcium in the bones (originating osteoporosis), the possibility of suffering heart attacks, cell damage, impaired memory or cognitive abilities, the deposit of fat in the waist, buttocks and hips, the development of cancer, etc.

What causes negative stress?

The events or moments named at the beginning of this article are the reason why we can get stressed, but in reality, the causes or factors that lead us to suffer from this condition are:

• Lack of time.
• Excessive responsibility.
• High expectations.
• Little coexistence with the family.
• Smoke.
• Excessive and persistent noise.
• Low self-esteem.
• Excessive worry
• Afraid.
• Traffic problems.
• Sudden changes in temperature.
• Inadequate nutrition.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Discussions.
• Losses or tragedies.

How can we identify stress?

If our head hurts once in a while or if one Friday a month we feel tired from working so much, it does not mean that we are “stressed”. We don’t have to use that buzzword for everything, under any circumstance. If it is true that since it has many causes and symptoms it is easier to suffer from it, it is a serious problem, which should not be taken lightly.

When we are stressed, we are affected in our behavior, in our attitudes and in our mood. Paying attention to the warning signs is vital. For example, if we are arguing with our partner more than usual, if we find that we are always frowning, if we yell about everything, if we are always in a bad mood, if anything irritates us or if it seems that the whole world is Against us on a daily basis, we can be under the “effects” of stress.

On the other hand, if no matter how long we sleep per day, we are always sleepy or tired, if we suffer from disorders such as insomnia or chronic fatigue, if nothing catches our attention as before, if we are not motivated by new ideas, if we live With back or neck pain, if we suffer from digestive problems (frequent heartburn, for example), it may also be because we have fallen under the bad influences of stress.

Change our way of seeing life

Once we have learned to identify stress, the next step is to start changing the way we see life, what we think or think we should expect, seek professional help to be able to channel energies where appropriate, etc.

It is also useful to establish concise and clear priorities, know how to delegate responsibilities and tasks, learn to say no when we cannot really fulfill that commitment, do what we can in a timely manner and if the hours of the day do not reach us, leave it for the following; forget about work problems when we leave the office, stop taking on great challenges or goals that are difficult to meet, set more distant deadlines, among other actions.

And it is worth it for general benefit: exercise or physical activity two or three times a week (always choose a discipline that we like); eat properly, preferring vegetables and fruits over fast food and practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or Tai Chi, or simply spending a few minutes a day to calm stress with an immersion bath, a cup of tea and a good book or a chat with friends.

If we are going through some stage of our life that can be really “stressful” (such as those mentioned at the beginning), it is necessary to stop and think about whether it is worth destroying our mental and physical health to “comply” in a timely manner. Enjoying the organization of the wedding, the construction of the house or your own business will give you a brake on stress, it will not let it act against you.