Emotional Stress not only causes emotional pain but also physical pain and can put you into serious depression which would ultimately affect your ability to think, work and progress in life. It can destroy your personal, social and professional life and can also put in serious trauma like situation.
Emotional stress also leads to feeling hopeless, causes depression and anxiety. Many people also experience stomachaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches, but might not know that it can also cause other physical complaints and even chronic pain.
What causes emotional stress?
Having constant trouble at work or financial stress or an unsolved problem can lead to emotional stress. You may have lost hope in something or gave up on a relationship, anything that affects your heart and brain can cause emotional stress.
Experiencing some daily stress and anxiety is normal, but over time, chronic stress can take a toll on the body. Emotional stress is caused by a long period of constant life stress, whether from personal stress at home or stress related to work.
What triggers emotional stress differs from person to person. What might be stressful for one person can be completely manageable for another person.
Some more common reasons of emotional stress include:
- high-pressure jobs, such as software engineers, nurses, doctors, police officers, and teachers
- intense schooling
- working long hours or working at a job you hate
- having a baby
- homelessness
- being a caregiver for a loved one
- divorce
- death of a family member or friend
- living with a chronic illness or injury
- raising children
- financial stress or poverty
Why is it so important to overcome emotional stress?
If you’re having high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress takes a toll on your mental as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.
Effective stress management makes you happier, healthier, and more productive, so it is important to manage stress in a proper and effective manner. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. But stress management is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s important to experiment and find out what works best for you.
How to treat emotional stress?
You can make certain lifestyle changes to help alleviate symptoms of emotional exhaustion. These techniques won’t be easy to carry out at first, but they’ll get easier as you begin to form healthier habits.
Making small changes in your daily habits can help manage your symptoms and prevent emotional exhaustion.
Once you recognize the signs of emotional exhaustion, try the following:
Tips to eliminate emotional stress
While not always possible, the best way to treat stress is to eliminate the stressor. If your work environment is the cause of your emotional exhaustion, consider changing jobs or companies. If your manager or boss is causing your stress, you can also consider transferring to a new department or asking to be placed under a different manager.
Take Healthy Diet
Eating healthy means choosing a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, while avoiding sugary snacks and fried or processed foods.
We’re told to eat healthy all the time, but it can make a world of difference when you’re stressed. Not only will it help you get the vitamins and minerals you need, but it will also improve digestion, sleep, and energy levels, which can have a domino effect on your emotional state.
Exercise Daily
Any sort of physical activity raises endorphins and serotonin levels. This can improve your emotional state. Exercise also helps take your mind off your problems. Try to exercise for 30 minutes per day, even if it’s just a long walk.
Limit or Give up alcohol
Alcohol may temporarily boost your mood, but the feeling will quickly wear off, leaving you more anxious and depressed than before. Alcohol also interferes with your sleep.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is important for emotional health. It’s even more effective if you plan your bedtime for roughly the same time every night. Aim for eight to nine hours of sleep every night. Developing a routine at bedtime can help you relax and ensure better quality sleep. Limiting caffeine can also have a positive impact on your sleep schedule.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a term you probably hear a lot, but mindfulness techniques are much more than just a fad. They’re scientifically recognized to reduce stress and anxiety and can be the key to balancing your emotions.
Mindfulness is the act of engaging with the present moment. This can help direct your attention away from negative thinking. There are many ways to practice mindfulness. Examples include:
- meditation
- yoga
- breathing exercises
- going for a walk, especially in nature
- keeping a journal to write down your feelings and thoughts
Researchers recently even found evidence that a single session of mindfulness meditation can help reverse the effects of stress on the body.
Connect with someone you trust
Talking face to face with a friend is a wonderful way to relieve stress. The person listening doesn’t necessarily have to fix your issues. They can just be a good listener. A trusted friend or family member can listen without judging you.
If you don’t have anyone close to turn to, check if your employer has an employee assistance program with counseling services.
Take a break
Everyone needs a break at some point. Whether you take a vacation or simply find the time to take yourself out to the movies, every little bit helps.
Contact a Life Coach
Along with making lifestyle changes, it’s important to seek professional help to treat emotional stress. A professional, such as a life coach, can give you the advice you need to work through a stressful period. Some of the techniques used by professionals include:
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy
- applied relaxation techniques
- motivation to take face day to day problems
Talk to a Doctor
In some cases, your primary care provider may suggest medications to help manage stress based on your symptoms. Antidepressants, such as selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, or prescription sleeping aids have been used to help treat emotional stress.
Medications such as benzodiazepines can be addictive and should only be used on a short-term basis to lower the risk of dependency or addiction. You doctor may also advice you to indulge in physical exercises and activities that help manage stress effectively.
If you are suffering from prolonged stress and want to live a healthier and happier life then contact me today! Call: 804-491-8082 or fill out the contact form below.
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