Stress can manifest as a range of symptoms as a result of disturbances to our physiological or psychological equilibrium. According to the American Institute of Stress, stress is accountable for up to 60% of all human illness and disease.
Top 10 life stresses – and how to cope!
How to ensure stressors don't take a toll on your health.
Scientific evidence has proven that stress and obesity are linked.
Cape Town-based clinical psychologist Carey Bremridge supplies you with crucial advice on how to reduce stress quickly and easily, without having to resort to the expense of a spa or a weekend retreat.
Getting some exercise is a simple, yet effective way of getting rid of stress and anxiety – and you don’t have to hit the gym or go for a run to reap its benefits.
“Even just doing a few yoga stretches or star jumps in the office, or walking around the floor of the office for ten minutes will help get your blood flowing, the oxygen circulating and your feel-good hormones working,” advises Bremridge.
Smoking, drinking alcohol and even using sedative medication when you’re stressed is a bad idea, cautions Bremridge.
“We think that these are helping, but they actually put us on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. A caffeine high, for example, actually increases anxiety. Also, smoking limits the amount of oxygen flowing through your body,” she explains.
Believe it or not, you can actually sing and laugh away stress. Studies have shown that music and laughter can actively reduce stress and anxiety.
And don’t worry if even the shower curtain cringes when you channel your inner Mariah – in fact, that’s a good thing! “The cornier and cheesier and more off-tune the better – singing will make you laugh at yourself and put you in a better mood,” says Bremridge.
The power of a good night’s sleep should never be underestimated, especially when you’re stressed. “If you’ve got a tight deadline, resist the urge to pull an all-nighter,” cautions Bremridge. “After you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you will work faster, more efficiently and at a more effective pace, than trying to work on no sleep.” Always try to get as close to eight hours of sleep per night as possible.
Your first child: The ultimate relationship test?