Don't Be Controlled by Stress

By Sandra Durrence, APRN, Winn Army Public Health, Fort Stewart, GAMarch 13, 2015

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- What is Stress?

Stress is "wear and tear" that can impact one's mental, physical, and emotional health as they adjust to a changing environment and the effects can either be positive or negative. Take a look at the positive side of stress: It can help compel you into action and sometimes add excitement to life. Negative stress can cause a person to experience distrust, rejection, anger, depression, and anxiety.

Goal: Lets "hunt for the good stuff" and learn to be more resilient by effectively managing stress and finding the optimal level of stress to "encourage without discouraging."

How do I manage stress?

The National Institute of Health recommends:

• Become aware of your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions. Notice your stress, events that distress you, and how your body responds to the stress.

• Recognize what you can change. Realize what you can do to reduce, shorten exposure, or eliminate stressors. Goal setting and time management help in this process.

• Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions to stress. Be realistic in your expectations of others and yourself. Most things are not a matter of life or death.

• Learn to moderate your physical reactions to stress. Slow deep breathing helps normalize heart rate and increases relaxation. Relaxation techniques through biofeedback, music, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can reduce muscle tension.

• Build your physical reserves. Exercise 3-4 times per week. Eat balanced meals. Maintain ideal weight. Avoid nicotine, and caffeine. Take breaks during work. Get enough sleep.

• Maintain your emotional reserves. Develop supportive relationships. Pursue realistic goals that are meaningful to you. Expect frustrations, failures, and sorrows. Be a friend to yourself.

• If stress becomes too overwhelming, get help. Talk to your counselor, teacher, friend, or medical provider.

For more information contact Winn Army Public Health Nursing at 912-435-5071.

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