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 About
Your Mood Mood
& Stress
 Stress
Can Lead To The Blues
Stress results from increasing demands-on
muscles, emotions, time and attention. And, stress can be
exhilarating when blood pressure, heart rate, respiration
and metabolism increase. But when the demands are too great,
too frequent and too prolonged, stress can become harmful.
It can lead to health problems, such as insomnia, headaches,
hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders and heart disease,
and mental health conditions, such as the blues.
The symptoms of excess or unmanaged stress
vary. They include fatigue, dissatisfaction, irritability
and a general feeling of being overwhelmed.
When competing demands, pressures of
work and home, and unreasonable expectations increase, so
does the risk of excessive stress. This risk also increases
with difficult life-changing events such as divorce, job
loss or death of a spouse. Likewise, people who are perfectionists,
who can't relax, or who have unhealthful lifestyles are
especially vulnerable. The bottom line? There is a higher
risk of health and mental health problems when preventive
actions are not taken.
Recognizing the signs of stress and doing
something about them often improves the quality of life
and may actually influence survival. To improve stress tolerance
and management and to reduce excessive stress:
- Exercise regularly
- Learn relaxation techniques such
as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises
- Make time for fun, hobbies and
recreation
- Compromise rather than confront
- Be reasonable in your expectations;
don't expect perfection in yourself or others
- Organize tasks and handle them
one at a time
- Know your limits and learn to
say no
- Maintain a healthful lifestyle:
get enough rest, eat well, and limit alcohol and caffeine
- Talk to someone about your concerns
and worries - a family member, a friend, or a mental health
practitioner
Source: CNN.com
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