Good Stress - Bad Stress

Normal healthy stress provides us with the energy, motivation and drive to perform our daily challenges both at home and in the workplace. Stress in these situations motivates us to meet our goals such as work deadlines, sales targets or accepting a new position. It provides some of us with the energy to rise to the challenge of childbirth, or the drive to buy that new car or home.

After meeting these challenges we are naturally satisfied, fulfilled and happy.

However, when the challenges of work and, or, at home become too demanding and overloading we begin to see negative signs. Too much stress causes a negative impact; the feeling of satisfaction turns into exhaustion, frustration, resentment and anxiety.

What happens to your physical body when you feel under pressure or stressed?

The human body is designed, with a set of automatic responses to deal with challenging and fearful situations or immediate dangers. This mechanism is very effective for the short-term "fight or flight" responses we need. Hormones (eg. adrenaline, cortisol) are released into the bloodstream; muscles tense, pulse rate increases, breathing quickens, and the mind becomes more alert. Once the threat or fear is dealt with the reaction settles and the body returns to normal.

However, when experiencing stress for long periods the automatic response does not get the chance to "turn off". When it is activated for too long, or the period between stressful situations is too short, then the body has no time to repair itself and fatigue and damage occurs.
The stress hormones then literally begin to destroy the body, so, over time it affects our physical and mental health and quality of life.

There are many physical and psychological symptoms such as: headaches, muscle stiffness and cramps; feeling frustrated, irritable or angry, difficulty concentrating, colds and flu, sleep difficulties, exhaustion and generally feeling worn out or run down.
Over the long term, prolonged exposure to stress weakens the immune system and has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, heart and cancer.

How to eliminate and minimise the affects of stress.

Step one-
Become aware of your state of well being and make a commitment to yourself to nurture your own needs.

Relax -
Make time in your day just for you to sit quietly to relax. 5 mins - 20 mins is a good amount of time. Try and make it 2 -3 times a day.

Meditate-
Relax your mind deeply, and your body will follow- Scientific studies show that effective meditation restores the physical body to a calm and relaxed state.
" Sign up for a meditation class or learn from a book, or, listen to guided meditation CDs. A Beautifully Guided Meditation Massage calms the nervous system, releases endorphins, increases oxygen intake therefore breathing and digestion become more effective while eliminating toxins and building healthy tissue. Releases emotional tension - Sometimes your sore neck and shoulders can be much more than a tight muscle.
" Make an appointment once or twice a month and don't leave without making a repeat appointment.

Sit in nature - Detach from your busyness often. No phones or technology. Fill your mind with beauty and increase your happy hormones and endorphins. Take deep breaths and oxygenate your blood, relax your muscles and quiet your mind.
" Sit in the park at lunch time or on the way home from work. Make a special spot in your garden to retreat to.

Ask for help-
Unravel and resolve any core issues that are causing emotional pain. Ask for help. Seek advice from a trained professional; they will help you see your issues from a different perspective and offer advice and strategies in seeking understanding and resolution.
" Business coach, Psychologist, Financial Adviser.
" Information is empowering read books on the subject you are having difficulty with.
" Employ a house cleaner; this will free you up for more relaxation and family time.

Sleep Well-
" Keep a CD player beside your bed with a guided relaxation meditation CD in it. On going to sleep and/or during the night when you awaken and your mind is going 100mph, press play and be guided into relaxation and sleep.

Exercise -
Find an exercise you really love to do, it could be riding a horse, yoga, long walks, golf.
" Sign up for a class and burn away stress chemicals.

Eat Well-
" A bowl of fresh fruit and nuts to nibble on in the staff room or in the salon.

If you implement these strategies into your daily life you will increase your energy, motivation and drive enabling you to soar to greater heights personally and professionally, and you will improve your health and well being.