How managing your stress will save your life

February 01, 2012

Worrying new research shows that 20% of women and 10% of men in the UK are putting their long-term health at risk because of “extreme stress”. And across the pond, three quarters of Americans report experiencing physical and psychological symptoms related to stress at any given time during a month.

Some stress can be beneficial. In small doses it can motivate you to perform at your best. Think about how a looming work deadline can drive us into action on a task we might otherwise procrastinate over.

However, most stress is defined as a harmful reaction that people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them. And when pressures in life and work pile up and become negative stress, our coping mechanisms become strained.

The stresses of 21^st century life

 Modern life is full of deadlines, frustrations and demands. Most people are busy holding down stressful jobs, dealing with stressful relationships and coping with stressful financial situations.  For many, extreme stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life.

But when you are constantly running in full-tilt mode, your mind and body will pay the price.

The high price of stress

The body does not easily distinguish between psychological and physical stress. When you’re stressed over a busy schedule, an argument, a poor relationship, or money problems, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a real life-or-death situation.

If you have a lot of worries, your stress response may be on a high alert most of the time. The more your body’s stress system is activated, the harder it is to shut off.

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. It can raise blood pressure, promote panic attacks, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, speed up the aging process and leave you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

If you frequently find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to take action to get your life back into balance and take steps to reduce the harmful effects of extreme stress, which can turn into depression if left unchecked.

Tips for reducing stress

Reducing stress will lead to a happier and healthier life. Here are a few well-researched tips for helping to reduce your own stress:

• Cardiovascular exercise on a regular basis, such as brisk walking or cycling.
• Contemplative exercise, such as yoga or meditation
• Chat. Talking to a trusted friend about your worries can help to ease stress, or else talk to a qualified consellor or mind coach.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink lots of water
• Consider NLP as a way to correct negative thought patterns.

At Nexus Coaching we are experts in stress management techniques. Whether in sport, work or life, we believe in these steps Think. Train. Fuel. For Success...

We know that a few simple changes made to your life and work could make huge differences to minimizing your stresses and improving your health.

Why not find out about our proven strategies for making changes to your life, stress levels and your future long-term health?

Call Nexus Coaching today for a further discussion.