Emotional stress: what is it and how to deal with it
Dealing with stress is almost a given for practically everyone at one point or another. After all, life is made up of challenges that test us physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, when a person has to deal with that kind of adversity all the time, the constant stress of such pressure can really affect a person’s physical and mental well-being. This can get to the point where your health can be adversely affected for a short or even long term. This is known as emotional stress. The following information should help you determine if you are dealing with this type of anxiety and how to overcome it.
If you’re having trouble with your sleeping habits, whether you’re sleeping more than usual or only sleeping for a few hours and having trouble getting back to sleep, you could be experiencing emotional stress. This is often caused by anxiety or depression, especially if there are no physical reasons for your sleeping problems.
If you are experiencing extreme changes in your weight for a short period of time, especially if you haven’t changed your eating or exercise routines, you may be experiencing emotional stress. Also, if you constantly think about food or avoid eating constantly, those signs could also be indicators that you are suffering from emotional stress. Depression can also cause poor appetite.
The body will sometimes help you and others to let you know that you are suffering from a surge when you have physical ailments the cause of which you simply cannot explain. If you’ve had a physical exam and a doctor can’t find anything physically wrong with you, it may be emotional stress that is causing your physical pain.
Another sure sign that you may be overly stressed is if you are always in a bad mood, always show a bad temper towards others, and always get overly angry over little problems or events. Both your physical and mental health could be at risk, as well as the physical and mental health of those around you.
What can you do if it shows the above signs? First, you need to directly identify and address the stressor or stressors that are causing your emotional distress. You should also try to look at the positives in your life and determine whether or not the stressors you have identified are really worth worrying about. You may be making those problems bigger than you really need to.
You also need to take time for yourself and enjoy fun activities to help relieve your mind of the pressure you are dealing with; no one can go long periods of time under great pressure without being affected by it. Also, let your family, friends, and doctor know what you’re dealing with, so they can all help you overcome that stress and see the positives in your life.
Emotional stress can place a great burden on those who cope, both in terms of mental and physical health. They may be more irritable, have trouble with their sleeping patterns, are less sociable than usual, and may experience severe weight fluctuations.
By identifying and realizing what you are suffering, you can work to overcome it with the right attitude, focus, and help from your family, friends, and doctor.