Stress is a Silent Killer: 8 Steps to Putting Your Wellness First

Stress affects us all. It even occurs in young children, theoretically the most carefree of us all. Stress is also a good thing, in many cases. It pushes us forward. It can give us that extra boost to go the extra mile. There are so many ways that stress can help us in our daily lives. There is, however, a massive difference between good stress, and bad stress. Typically, this differentiation occurs when you are constantly stressed, and cannot escape it. When this happens, your muscles tighten, you feel physical pain, and your blood and cholesterol levels rise.

Those with poor health and high stress are at risk of cardiac arrest or stroke.

1. Sit Down and Organize

Not knowing what to do next, or how you will ever leave your stress behind can, in turn, cause more stress. That’s why your first step to combating and overcoming your stress needs to be sitting down and organizing. You need to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and putting tasks down day by day, instead of being overwhelmed by how much you have to do in total, can be a huge help. It can also help you manage your time better and stay on track. In some cases, it can help you realize that you don’t have that much to do at all, and it is how you feel that is making everything so difficult.

2. Get a Better Night’s Sleep, Every Night

Once you have better direction, it’s time to get all-important rest. To get better sleep, you need a better routine. Start by going to bed every day at the same time, and similarly waking up at the same time every day. Further, you should also avoid blue-white light after it gets dark. Devices today have a “night mode” where the screens will darken and turn more orange. That’s because the blue-white of your screens mimics the daylight outside, which, at night, can disrupt your circadian rhythm.

3. Eat Healthier

When you are stressed, cooking can be the last thing on your mind, but that doesn’t mean you should eat unhealthy foods either. Your diet is the cornerstone of your health. It affects your mood, your health, your energy levels, and so much more. Start by supplementing your diet with a vitamin, but generally try to eat healthier. This means, first and foremost, cutting out bad substances that are causing your body stress, like foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt. For habits like smoking, wait for a time during your job where you have the space to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

4. Drink More Water

Water, in any form, needs to be consumed more regularly. Being dehydrated can cause headaches, aggression, and exhaustion. So, drink more water throughout the day. Not only will you feel better, but your digestion, skin, and health will also improve.

5. Exercise

You don’t need to go to the gym to get exercise. Simply taking the stairs to your office can be a great way to get your heart pumping just a bit each day. Exercise is important for your health and metabolism, of course, but it is also crucial for managing your mood, your emotional state, your energy levels, and more. It can also be an excellent way to blow off some much-needed steam after a trying day at the office.

6. See More of Your Friends

Friendships are crucial for our happiness. Friends are our support group. They are there for us through our ups and downs, and, unlike more formal relationships, they don’t need consistent contact to stay healthy. Meet up with a friend after months of not speaking to each other and catch up, or keep updated with consistent contact throughout the year – the effects are the same. You confide in them, and they confide in you. Together you help each other work through how you feel and your problems at hand.

7. Learn Something New

Sometimes, all you need to combat stress is to take your mind off what is stressing you. Learning something new can be a very fulfilling and rewarding activity that will completely take your mind off the stressor. You can do this by picking up a book, watching a show or a movie, or going out and taking a class. Learning something new doesn’t have to be formal, either – it could mean learning about new fictional characters, or travelling, or simply meeting someone new. There are so many ways to learn and discover, and the draw about these activities is that they occupy your thoughts, allowing you to let go of your stressor for at least a short while.

8. Alternative Medicines

If your stress is due to chronic pain, then you need to consider all options. Being in pain can be very debilitating, and distracting, meaning that you cannot perform as you want to. That’s why you should try the CBD cbdoil, which is free of THC. Ask your doctor for a prescription, or if you are in a state where it is legalized try it out for yourself. Other alternative medicines include physical therapy, they could include mediation, or whatever you find works for you. When you are in pain or have a chronic condition, however, you need to find the best way to manage your pain that works for you.

The key to managing stress is to be on top of your game. That way, the pressure to finish a deadline can work in your favor. It can make you excel. It can make you the best. You cannot, however, live with that stress looming over you on a daily basis. You need to unwind. You need to ensure that your body is in peak condition so that you can better combat the challenges of the day. Do this, and you will be happier and healthier.