How to detect if you’re more stressed than you realize
It’s not always obvious when you are under stressed or anxious. While this might seem not to be true, the reality is that we adjust to stress levels until chronic stress becomes a way of life and is barely noticed, if at all. Nevertheless, it still has a very negative effect on our body.
The same can be true of rising anxiety levels where we still manage to function effectively (for the most part) until the day when we suddenly have an anxiety attack and cannot cope. Not being able to think clearly and shaking uncontrollably are often the first signs that we’re having a full-on anxiety attack, and it can come as quite a shock sometimes; especially if we pride ourselves on our coping skills.
In this article, we outline some ways to detect if you’re more stressed than you realize or tend to get overly anxious.
Overreacting to Small Things?
Stress is a function of the body put there to provide a layer of protection. Whether getting stressed because someone near to you is giving you cause for concern about your safety or there’s an emergency and you’re in fight or flight mode, stress in short bursts can be a lifesaver. With less serious issues, a stress response can get you to focus on a problem more intently by being alert and with more energy to throw at it.
The trouble comes into play when stress becomes a natural way of life. When it occurs through overreacting to small things that aren’t major problems. Also, it leaves other people confused about why you’re worrying about minor issues that have simple solutions.
Learning to take a deep breath and telling yourself that this isn’t difficult, and you have handled this kind of thing before, calms your mind down. You’re then better able to handle it without stressing too much. It this doesn’t work for you, try CBD oil as a natural way to reduce anxiety levels. There are some good products available for this; check them out here.
Overeating or Undereating?
When you’re anxious or stressed, it’s possible that you’re not taking care of your body by eating properly and at consistent times. Sometimes, you might overeat, and other times not eat enough. Both have a negative effect on how your body can function. Blood sugar levels and overall energy levels will fluctuate wildly when you do not eat on a regular basis or consume too much.
If you think you eat irregularly and poorly, plan your meals out ahead of time. Pick foods that you particularly enjoy and will look forward to when mealtime is approaching. If you’re having problems with overeating, then portion control is going to save you from yourself. Then avoid picking up snacks or sodas to add to your reduced meal size.
Exercising Enough?
Exercising regularly is well known to reduce anxiety levels. It gives the body something completely different to manage. Your headspace goes somewhere else when you exercise too.
For instance, when indoors you may mull over your many problems and this only causes you to become more anxious. However, when walking or jogging outdoors or in the gym, your mind is free to wander either to trivialities or long-term dreams and goals. The latter can provide a meaningful refocusing of the mind which elevates the mood and reenergizes you towards the positive.
Sometimes, reducing stress or anxiety (or both) comes down to taking time out to relax, breathe deeply and clear your mind. Spending every day in a worried or stressed state is unhealthy. It wears down your immune system making you more likely to get sick. It’s also usually completely unnecessary. Most things we worry about never come to pass anyway. A healthy amount of concern is one thing but work to find a healthy balance. Some events in life are simply out of your control.
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