Who doesn’t experience stress? It’s a common occurrence among adults. No one is spared, simply because there are lots of things that trigger anxiety and frustration.
However, the fact that stress is a normal thing shouldn’t overshadow its adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Apart from aggravating heart disease, hypertension, and other serious physical conditions, heightened stress levels also contribute to depression and anxiety. On top of that, individuals who experience stress daily develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and impair their ability to perform at work.
Considering the effect of stress on productivity, companies are adopting ways to make the workplace less hectic. But at the end of the day, keeping stress levels under control requires individual effort.
When you are under pressure, it’s important that you apply the right strategies for preventing the onset of severe stress. Here are a few you might want to follow:
1. Know the symptoms
It’s fairly easy to know if you are stressed or not, but you may not be aware of the symptoms if you are working in a high-pressure environment. You may have the tendency to downplay nausea and sleeplessness without knowing that they can be tell-tale signs of extreme stress. Ignoring these symptoms will only lead to more severe effects on the mind and body.
The best way to control the severity that stress brings is to identify the symptoms earlier on. These symptoms may vary, but many often experience anxiety and constant tiredness. Detecting these signs will make it easier to prevent your stress levels from rising further.
2. Practice healthy coping mechanisms
Once you have identified the first signs of stress, you will need to come up with a strategy for keeping your mind calm. Deep breathing exercises always work since they tell your brain to relax. If you feel anxious and tired, take a moment to rest. Look for a quiet place and take deep breaths. As you exhale, let the air out slowly. Give yourself at least 10 to 20 minutes to put your mind at ease during these exercises.
Another healthy way you can cope with stress is to practice self-care. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but it becomes a serious risk if it causes undue damage to your mind and body. Practicing self-care isn’t just a trend, it’s a healthier way to prevent stress levels from rising as you work under pressure. Eating a balanced diet, sleeping a full nine hours each night, and doing regular exercises are some of the best ways to deal with stress, according to the CDC.
3. Seek help
When you find yourself in a situation that causes extreme stress, you may need to seek help from others. Talking with co-workers, friends, and family members is a great way to offload the emotional baggage you are carrying as a result of stress.
Doing so usually helps. But when the symptoms become overwhelming and trigger a range of physical responses such as panic attacks, professional help is definitely needed.
If you are working in a stressful environment and are prone to symptoms of extreme stress, reach out to us at Mid Cities Psychiatry. We can help you keep stress levels low and prevent severe complications from taking root.
We are committed to helping you attain peace of mind using the right tools and approaches. So, schedule a consultation by giving us a call at 817-488-8998.