An Action Plan for Handling Stress

Stress can take a physical and emotional toll, so be prepared to address it head-on.

Stress is on the rise. 

 Among the leading causes of stress are money, work, family and health issues. Even children aren’t exempt —  looks specifically at stress in kids caused by marital conflicts at home.

But it does need to be addressed. Stress can have a very real impact on a variety of body systems, from the cardiovascular system to muscles. “There’s often also a physiological reaction in addition to the mental experience of feeling stressed,” said Bufka. “And that may manifest itself in terms of headaches, or stomachaches, or muscle tension.”

Any kind of exercise, from high-energy activities to yoga, can help. “When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that fight stress.

Eat well-balanced meals, limit alcohol and caffeine intake, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

People should also consider what the source of their stress is, and whether or not they feel it’s at a manageable level. “It’s when our ability to cope with stressful events exceeds what we have to offer…or when it starts interfering with our functioning and our ability to work or be a student or be a parent,” said Bufka. “That’s when we really need to think…maybe I might need some additional support from a mental health expert.”

Often patient does raise stress as an issue, some physicians may simply not feel that they can adequately address it. Doctors also may not recognize that a patient is overly stressed and needs help.

If you can’t identify what’s causing your stress or if it persists and starts interfering with your daily life, then speak to psychologist or counselors or psychiatriists.