Veterans Chamber of Commerce By Joseph Molina www.vccsd.org
Dealing With STRESS
Feeling stressed is a natural part of being human. Stress is mostly our reaction to a threatening or anxious situation. These situations are prevalent - We lose our job, a painful event occurs, we face serious illness, and so on. It’s impossible not to feel anxious since we are uncertain about a lot of things. Some level of stress could be helpful. Think about the importance of the physical stress your muscles undergo to develop during exercise. Also think of the mental and physical exhaustion you feel after a good day’s work that leads you to have a decent rest to recuperate. Feeling down at times or anxious for a while is part of life. We can say that, If some kind of stress is good, where do we draw the line? When do we realize that a stressful feeling needs dealing with? A rule of thumb suggests that if the feeling associated with stress persists, it becomes a norm, and starts to interfere with your optimal functionality in daily life, it’s time to seek help. When the lingering effects (physically or emotional) of a stressful event (maybe personal, environmental disasters, or near misses) persists, you are advised to seek professional help. When stress persists, we must get the right care and support from the right people to manage the feelings of stress and symptoms that come with it. Learning to cope with the feeling/emotions To deal with stress, it’s important that we know how to identify what stress is. It’s easier to manage or reduce in its early stages than in advanced stages. Stress can come in many forms. Let’s look at some of the most common symptoms associated with stress that I was able to find: • Excessive use of substances, smoking, and/or over consumption of alcohol • Persistent body pains including headaches, back pains, stomach/digestive issues. • Inability or difficulty concentrating at something you once enjoyed • Persistent feelings of sadness, helplessness, and frustration 56
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• Disengagement or withdrawal from constructive activities you once found pleasurable • Insomnia, and having difficulty eating • Compulsive need to distract ourselves using network tools. *** Important: When the symptoms associated with stress persist for an unusual period of time, the best thing is to seek immediate professional help. Below are some ideas on how to reduce and or manage lower levels of stress. 1. Talk to others Just like journaling, the act of talking to others, has proven to be very helpful. When feeling stressed, it may help to talk about it with someone. Talking about it may help identify its origin and causes it can also give clarity on the situation. 2. Avoid Use of Substances and/or Alcohol The problem with substances, drugs, and alcohol is that they are quick fixes and it may be dangerous at it could create in over-dependence. We know that these substances do not solve the existing problem, rather they create additional problems, and exacerbate the existing one. 3. Take Time Off One of the most prevalent causes of our stress and anxiety today is the compulsive use and attachment to our phones and the constant flow of images, news, and other information every day. There has never been a more needed time to restructure our relationship with these network tools than now.