Stress is a common theme in many people’s lives. The fast pace of life that the modern world commands mean that most people juggle many demands on their time, and often feel under pressure.
Of course, stress is an entirely normal and automatic response by the body to situations that present a real danger. However, in modern life, the chances that your stress response is triggered because you need to run away from a saber-toothed tiger are unlikely. For many people, stress responses occur regularly throughout the day. Prolonged periods of stress don’t only feel horrible; they can also have a negative impact on the body too. There are a number of health conditions that are made worse by stress. Here are some of the common side effects of stress, and how you can help to manage them:
Feeling Anxious
Stress and anxiety go hand in hand. When you are feeling stressed, you are likely to feel on edge, and the symptoms of anxiety may start to manifest themselves. Symptoms of feeling anxious can range from a racing heart, through to sweaty palms.
While you can’t always stop yourself from feeling stressed, learning to manage it could help to prevent it from escalating into the physical symptoms associated with anxiety. Mindfulness is a popular tool to help with this as it enables you to pay attention to the present moment. Practicing mindfulness helps to prevent you from getting caught up in unhelpful thinking patterns, which escalate anxiety and leave you feeling more stressed.
Heartburn
Heartburn is an uncomfortable yet common condition. Heartburn often occurs as a side effect of stress. Heartburn causes a burning sensation in the chest, which is the result of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels upwards and causes a burning sensation as the acid makes contact with the oesophagus.
To help get rid of heartburn medication can help such as zantac. It is also useful to find ways to relax and reduce your stress levels.
Tension Headaches
When you are already feeling stressed out, a tension headache can really add insult to injury. A tension headache can occur as a result of feeling excessively stressed out, so trying to relax can help to alleviate the symptoms. This is a situation where the mindfulness approach may help too. Your tension headache may disappear after having a sleep as the combination of tiredness and stress could have triggered the headache in the first place. Getting some rest could help to relieve both your fatigue and enable you to relax. If you continue to suffer with headaches on a regular basis, then it is a good idea to speak to your doctor.
Relaxation
To lessen the impact that stress has on your body, it is important to look after yourself. Learning techniques such as mindfulness can help you to stop stress responses from escalating. Trying to get enough rest and eating a healthy diet can also be a helpful way to minimise stress in your life.
