Stress is the nastiest 4 letter word you ever met. Don't stress, I know it is six letters but it packs the wallop of the meanest 4 letter word you ever heard.
Stress can affect your health and keep you from being all you can be to borrow a phrase recently made popular by the U.S. Army.
Psychologists, scientists and those who study this particular beast say its origins may be physical, financial, environmental, social or emotional. I say that covers everything in which we as humans engage so to bypass a long discourse, let's just say stress is all around us and manifests itself through one or more of the aforementioned categories.
Given this is true, there must exist commonalities that are recognizable so, if we choose, we can deal with it regardless of its particular origin. Of course, the medical types may disagree and say its source must be known before treatment.
I don't know about you, but just sitting in a waiting room stresses me out. Therefore, I'd rather have general recognition parameters so I can at least sound intelligent should I have to transmit my self diagnosis to my doctor.
This way, we both have something we possibly recognize and may be can come to the same conclusion about it. Then, we can discuss treatment.
If you think this way, the following 9 warning signs will be what the doctor ordered, pun intended.
1. Anger at parents, siblings, friends. Comes on suddenly with no apparent real cause.
2. You feel overwhelmed at what use to be routine and want to withdraw to get away from it all.
3. Anxiety and/or constant worry are your new companions.
4. Depression and a lack of pleasure not only in what you used to enjoy but in everything.
5. Exhaustion accompanied by sleeplessness where you were at least half way energetic and enjoyed a tumble with the pillow.
6. If you have chronic conditions, they seem to be worsening yet your activity level hasn't changed.
7. You are irritable at the drop of a hat. Anyone, anytime can trigger your irritation.
8. You no longer have the ability to concentrate. Your are disorganized and devil may care about it.
9. You let your appearance and/or your environment (home, work area, etc.) go to the dogs.
I know these are mostly general in nature, but think about it for a moment. Most of us non stressed homo sapiens don't get angry or irritated at the least little thing, we get an almost good night's sleep with regularity, our tasks/job doesn't overwhelm us and we love what we love and we continue to do them.
I present this list because as a former caregiver, I noticed it happening to care receivers and some caregivers. If 4 or more of these conditions apply, it is time to have a talk with someone. It is time to stop and smell the coffee/roses/catnip or whatever you like to smell.
It is your life and your health. As long as you have the power to control them, why wouldn't you?
Tom Koziol is the Secretary for a nonprofit giving away a free caregiver manual at: http://www.senior2senior.org. The manual was written as a blueprint for everyone whether they are currently a caregiver or not.
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the... Read More
In our article about Exercise & Stress, we looked at... Read More
Life would be so wonderful if it weren't for other... Read More
Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
Looking for all of the answers in how to manage... Read More
Learning methods of stress elimination is a vital skill in... Read More
My grandmother, a feisty and athletic woman in her younger... Read More
The Mask of "I've Got It All Together"It's so easy... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
Probably the least appreciated form of stress is college stress.... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
But how can this happen to someone?Let's concentrate on how... Read More
Every day we are faced with a situation where our... Read More
1. Determine your "unique ability" and capitalize on itDelegate the... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
Do you have the desire for a stress free life?... Read More
* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
In a recent CMA survey of 2251 physicians, over 45%... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
On a beautiful summer day years ago, I went water... Read More
The future is nothing but a fantasy or a daydream,... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
It is an inescapable fact, we live in a stressful... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Looking for mindfulness? Who ya gonna call?Try dialing M.It's easy... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work.... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
On a beautiful summer day years ago, I went water... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Training Your Mind For Better Business and LeisureModern life moves... Read More
Writing down our thoughts and feelings, as in keeping a... Read More
I was a psychotherapist for... Read More
You can learn a lot by watching children playing. There... Read More
Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More
I came out of a nightmare 5-year period of anxiety... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
In a recent CMA survey of 2251 physicians, over 45%... Read More
Deadlines at work, demanding bosses, bills to be paid at... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
I once worked with a woman whose zest,joy and enthusiasm... Read More
We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More
When we think about stress in the workplace, we usually... Read More
Did you ever feel like your "get-up-and-go" got up and... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage... Read More
Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
Stress Management |