Dealing With Stress

Being a full time student while working three jobs I experience stress on a daily basis, whether school, familial or work induced stress, or even simply the stress caused by the strive to reach personal goals.

Stress affects several aspects of one’s self, which can negatively influence both one’s physical and mental health.

Stress is manifested in an array of bodily responses, as a reaction to disruptions or adjustments. Thus, when these changes are made it upsets an individual’s mental and physical abilities, often manifesting itself into several different symptoms. Some symptoms may be physical, such as: headaches, insomnia, viruses, aches and pains, tense muscles, loss of appetite, and even a loss of sexual ability, while other symptoms may be mental such as emotional instability (i.e., experiencing anger, guilt, and hopelessness). But how do you deal with stress? Everyone deals with stress differently and some methods are not very healthy. Some may become dependent on substances (i.e. alcohol or cigarette’s) and some may simply isolate themselves.

Despite the endless list of negative effects and outcomes of stress, there are a number of strategies to minimize becoming overwhelmed.

Personally, I try to make a weekly check list of what needs to be completed so that I can map out my time. This is satisfactory because it allows me to feel like I have achieved something through hard work and commitment. It is very important to have a plan set in place when dealing with stress. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) encourages people to eat healthy well balanced meals throughout the day. They also suggest that physical activity, regulated sleep habits (i.e., getting the proper amount of sleep), and taking breaks when needed are positive stress relievers. They also encourage speaking to someone about your stress, whether that be to your friends, family or to a professional. I personally find that I get more stressed when I do not have someone to talk to, and it is during these times that my stress-induced thoughts keep me up at night.

Exercise is also key when dealing with stress.

Two of my favourite exercises to relieve stress include both boxing and yoga. On the one hand, boxing exerts a satisfactory release of energy, which allows for the relief of anger and stress. This ultimately results in feeling calmer. Conversely, the calming properties of yoga through stillness and meditation allow for the gathering of thoughts and elimination of stress and worries for a period of time. It is important to focus on your wellbeing (both mentally and physically) when you are feeling stressed. So next time you are feeling stressed, try going to your local boxing gym and hit the punching bag, or follow a yoga tutorial on YouTube and begin your day with some relaxing, thought-gathering meditation to help set up your stress-reduced day!