April is National Stress Awareness Month. Did you feel something tighten up as you read that? Do you know you are stressed and does that cause you more stress as you worry about its effects on your body?
This month Legacy is going to offer daily insights into the causes of stress and talk about things you can do to lower the level of stress in your life, your workplace, your family, your body. Some may sound too simplistic to be of value. Don’t scoff until you have given each one a try. We humans have a tendency to complicate everything, which in itself may be stressful! Buy in for one day and, if you see a difference, try the suggestion for a second day, a third. Soon you have created a daily habit or routine that can bring relief.
A Mayo Clinic newsletter starts out as follows: “Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the culprit.”
Stress symptoms can affect your body, thoughts, feelings and your behavior. Left unchecked, stress can contribute to health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, not to mention insomnia, hair loss, fatigue, loss of libido, lack of motivation, focus, joy and vitality.
Common effects of stress…
,,,on your body: Headache • Muscle tension or pain • Chest pain • Fatigue • Changes in sex drive • Stomach upset • Sleep problems
…on your mood: Anxiety • Restlessness • Lack of motivation or focus • Irritability or anger • Sadness or depression
…on your behavior: Overeating or undereating • Angry outbursts • Drug or alcohol abuse • Tobacco use • Social withdrawal
on your job: Absenteeism • Lost productivity • Loss of employment • Escalating health care costs • Illness due to work atmosphere and stress.
Today’s Affirmation: “All is right in my world.” – Louise Hay Try repeating when you feel your body tighten up, have a sense of unease, feel yourself getting ready to yell or cry. All IS right in your world and you are safe.
Tomorrow’s tip: Gratitude and
stress relief.