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A certain amount of stress can be good for
people - but too much stress isn't good, and if stress goes
on for a long time it can cause all kinds of problems which
affect the body, the mind and the way we behave with each
other.
How do you know when you have too much stress?
This is difficult to answer, because different people can
cope with different amounts of stress. Some people love being
in situations where they are often 'on the edge' (e.g. racing
drivers, gamblers, high flying businessmen) Others need quieter
lives which have lots of routine and very few 'highs' and
'lows'. The really important thing is to learn how to recognise
when you are feeling very stressed.
How do you know when things are getting too much for you?
What happens to you when you're really stressed out?
- Your
eating or sleeping changes (too much, or too little)
- You
may have moods, (highs or lows) which affect the way you
get on with your friends or your family
- You
are trying to cope with stress by doing things which cause
more problems (e.g. using drugs, drinking or smoking too
much)
- You
are becoming very short tempered or angry
- You
find it hard to 'switch off'
- You
feel anxious and panicky
- You
worry a lot - particularly about what other people may be
thinking or feeling about you
- You
can't stop thinking about certain things
- You
have to do certain things in a particular way, and feel
anxious about what will happen if you don't
- You
are always tired
- You
find it hard to say 'No' to people, but at the same time
you know that saying 'yes' will make you feel more stressed
If
you find yourself doing or feeling any of these things, then
it may be that you have too much stress in your life. It will
help if you can find someone to talk to about this. It can
be hard to sort things out on your own, and change the way
you've been doing things, particularly when you haven't a
lot of time or energy..
You
could
- Talk
to a friend
- Talk
to someone in your family
- Talk
to someone at college / university (like a tutor)
- Talk
to a counsellor (colleges and universities have counselling
services)
- You
could also think about how you can relax, so your mind and
your body are not in 'overdrive' all the time.
What
do you enjoy doing?
- Do
you have a good balance between working and having fun?
- Do
you do any physical exercise?
- If
not, is there anything you could try?
- Do
you know how to 'switch off' using relaxation exercises?
- Are
you simply doing too much and if so, is there anything which
you can put 'on hold' for some time?
For further information and ideas about managing stress,
try the following:
Also
See:
Realted
Links:
For
other sources of help:
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