Stress is a normal occurrence of life. Some level of stress is normal. Stress often helps to make you resilient and better able to handle circumstances in life. It also can push and motivate you to succeed. However, like most things, too much stress isn’t good for you. High levels of stress can lead to emotional and physical problems. Since stress is normal but shouldn’t get out of hand, learning when you’re too stressed and finding healthy ways to deal with it is vitally important to your health.
The Consequences of Prolonged Stress
Although stress might help you meet a deadline at work or help you to deal with the ups and downs of a relationship, too much of it has adverse consequences. When stress reaches chronic levels, it can lead to physical effects like heart problems, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, skin issues, body aches, diabetes, and infertility. Chronic stress can also lead to emotional issues that include irritability, inability to focus, anger, reduced productivity, social withdraw, depression, and anxiety.
Those with chronic levels of stress often turn to vices like drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, what starts off as masking the stress of the day can quickly lead to addiction. Addiction is a harmful disease that not only ruins the addict but their families and professional lives as well. If you’ve turned to this method of coping with stress, attending an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab program can help.
Methods for Coping with Stress
Yes, everyone has stress. It is also a fact that stress is unavoidable. However, as you can see, when stress is a constant staple in your life, it can reach high levels which can result in both physical and emotional problems. When you find yourself under an extreme or prolonged amount of stress, here are some healthy methods for coping:
Stress is an ongoing emotion that will remain ever-present in your life. Though stress can be good at times, too much of it could send your health on a decline. To avoid unhealthy coping methods like using drugs and alcohol or reckless behaviors, it is best to find healthy alternatives. Removing yourself from the stressor, getting some sleep, doing things you enjoy, exercising, and meditating are all healthy options for combatting stress. Should you find that these methods don’t work or you feel yourself relying on vices getting help is advised.