Breathe: Managing stress and its symptoms

Stress can reach anyone, and it’s become a major health issue.

It’s not something people can see or take a pill to try to cure.

Stress has become so prevalent that it is considered a public health concern because the symptoms is can cause in its sufferers are very real.

“Strong emotions like fear, sadness or other symptoms of depression are normal, as long as they are temporary and don’t interfere with daily activities,” quotes the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If these emotions last too long or cause other problems, it’s a different story.”

While the source of stress can (and mostly do) vary from person to person, steps can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of stress and limit the impact it can have on the sufferer.

What is stress?

When a person encounters a change in their life that calls for an adjustment or response, stress is the body’s response—a response that may manifest mentally, physically or emotionally.

The American Institute of Stress states that stress is difficult to define because its manifestations are extremely personal to its sufferer.

What does stress do to me?

Stress can cause:

• Headaches
• Stomach pains
• Chest pains
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Weight gain
• Sadness/Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of interest in activities
• Low energy

Ways to relieve stress

• Exercise
• Reduce/Limit caffeine intake
• Socialize with friends/family/loved ones
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Get plenty of sleep
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Practice breathing exercises