by Patrick Glancy

Stress is funny. Not ha-ha funny, but odd funny. It can motivate you to improve your life. But, it can also ruin your health and your life.

It depends on how much stress you have and what kinds of stress. It also depends on what your past has taught you - how your mind has learned to deal with stress.

The physical signs of stress are supposed to help you survive - fight or flight. In the modern world, this is very rarely any help. Most stress today is psychological.

Psychological stress will stem from problems such as worry about money, family, and your health. Your body’s physical reaction to stress does not do anything for these situations. Because these kinds of situations are quite common and long-term, your body can be experiencing a constant state of stress.

High stress can cause health problems as varied as muscle tension, sleep problems, mental confusion, depression and digestion problems. Health problems from stress eventually just increase the stress you already have.

Common sense tells you that managing your stress is important. There are all kinds of people and companies that will offer advice, products and services to help your stress. If every option worked the same for everyone, that would not be a problem. But, we’re all different. What works for your friend, may not work for you.

Finding the right choice for yourself is easier when you are more aware of what causes your stress and how you experience it.

It helps to decide if your stress is from situations or behaviors - Is your stress in proportion to the current situations or does it feel blown out of proportion? It may not be easy to figure this part out on your own.

If it is situational, what are the causes and can they be addressed in a practical manner? Is it realistic to expect yourself to get some form of exercise and a proper diet? (I know from personal experience, if I have high stress it is when my life is too busy to work-out or get to the grocery store for planned meals)

If your stress is behavioral, spending some time analyzing the triggers may help. Look at your past and see if it is making your stress higher than it should be. Stressful memories of the past can and do effect us every day. (The stronger the emotion, the more vivid the memory. The more vivid the memory, the stronger the stress you will continue to feel from it.)

After becoming more aware of your stress, you will have a better idea of how to take care of it.

Situational stress is easier to figure out and will eventually be behind you. Behavioral stress may require outside help to get through. But, it IS possible, and IS worth accomplishing.

Seek professional help. Medication is sometimes an answer, but many people that have used medication for stress, experience side effects that affect their enjoyment of life. They often say they don’t know which is worse, to be on the medication or to be stressed.

Explore and educate yourself about your options. Then, make use of them. When it comes to improving your life, the only poor choice is to not try.

About the Author:

Oregon Hypnosis with Glancy Hypnosis