Result of Anxiousness
It is natural to feel stress, anxiety and worry as we face this time of uncertainty. COVID-19 is likely only amplifying already existing feelings of worry and ambiguity. Anxiety typically occurs when we believe we are unable to predict what will happen or to control stress.
Understanding stress is an important part of stress management. Stress management gives us the opportunity to take a step back and reset. We do not want to wait until our bodies give us signals that we are dealing with too much stress. We want to be able to recognize stress as it comes and deal with it effectively.
A feeling of emotional or physical tension is stress and it can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.
The body's biological response to a perceived threat is stress and the response sends chemicals and hormones surging through your body. That is what causes your heart rate to increase or your stomach to flutter. It is your body reacting to something it thinks could be dangerous.
Stress can affect the immune system and taking steps to reduce stress in a healthy way is important. Knowledge and preparation can help reduce feelings of panic. Individuals can use information from trusted resources to develop personal plans of action. Setting time aside to unwind is important or your mental and physical health can suffer.
What are positive ways to reduce your response to stress, whether expected or unexpected? Your superpower is to stay connected to yourself and others, try to avoid feelings of helplessness and lack of energy, remember that “no” is a complete sentence and keep some energy for yourself.
How do you achieve this? Try radical acceptance like allowing choice, being present for yourself, staying kind and curious to yourself and staying in your own lane (self-management). These offer the sunny side of control.
You can opt to take something off your own plate if it all seems too much. Maybe you can delegate some tasks. If you feel stressed about the list of things to do in the coming days, stop and question whether you have to do each and every one. Do not simply assume you are obligated to do everything. And for the things you have to do, there is no shame in rethinking how you do it so that it is easier for you.
Just make a point to keep doing what is best for you. The bottom line and most important thing to remember is there is no shame in treating yourself with the kind of care and consideration with which you would treat someone else. You cannot fill up someone else’s cup if yours is empty.
Here are today’s Wellness Wednesday Program reading resources:
“Stressed About COVID-19? Here's What Can Help”, John Hopkins Medicine
“10 Tips to Manage Stress”, WebMD
“Stress”, Cleveland Clinic, Health Library/Articles
“10 Tips to Relieve COVID-19 Stress”, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC),
