How to Ease Stress & Anxiety
People that experience stress and anxiety can experience both mental and physical symptoms. Stress can manifest physically through fatigue, muscle pain, digestive troubles, and sleeping difficulty. While these are often easy to spot, psychological symptoms may be harder to pin down, such as irritability and anger. Anxiety is a diagnosed mental health condition defined by persistent, excessive worries that interfere with everyday life. don't go away even in the absence of a stressor
Although feelings of stress and anxiety can be similar, they are very different. Below are a few examples of the difference between stress and anxiety:
Stress
"I am nervous because I'm working my first double shift tomorrow."
"My kids won't stop screaming and crying and I need to focus on my work."
"I'm nervous for the test tomorrow."
Anxiety
"I don't know if I will be able to last the whole day without needing to leave. This is going to affect my work ethic and I could get fired."
"If I don't finish my work in time my boss is going to be upset with me and I can't focus because of my kids. I'm starting to freak myself out".
"I literally cannot think about anything other than doing well on the test and it's interfering with other parts of my life."
While intense feelings of stress and anxiety can often seep into all aspects of life, there are some simple ways to relieve these uncomfortable feelings.
- Exercise. The endorphins released during exercise are scientifically proven to boost your mood.
- Reduce caffeine intake. High amounts of caffeine are known to elevate anxiety. Try cutting back on your coffee or ordering decaf.
- Meditate. Meditation is a great way to listen to your body's signals and address stressful or anxious feelings in a soothing, yet effective manner.
- Spend quality time with friends and family. A strong support system can help through difficult times.
- Start journaling. Writing down what you're stressed about is a form of catharsis. You can also practice writing out gratitude lists to combat the negative feelings.
If stress or anxiety are beginning to severely interfere in your or a loved one's life, clinicians in our Counseling & Wellness Centers are here to help.
Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632 X9500) for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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