Monitoring Stress to Naturally Manage the Effects

Some of the most common early warning signs of excess stress are chronic fatigue, excessive irritability or moodiness, amplified or disproportionate anxiety, poor emotional control, noticeable changes in appetite, sleep patterns or sex drive, insomnia, critical feelings of dependency or helplessness and withdrawal from normal activity or responsibility.

Many people have come to accept stress as an everyday part of life and do little to cope with too much of it. Some stress is actually a good thing as it helps to be active and productive. Too much stress however is detrimental to the body, mind and spirit. Recognizing the signals of stress and stress related problems could reduce the damage that stress can cause. It can be difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, as they are diverse and varied among individuals. So all symptoms of excessive stress may not be easily observed but those that are can also help to identify stressors and then recognize the other symptoms. An individual may possess one or more of several symptoms of stress. There are some common early warning signs, which if one recognizes early enough is able to combat the negative effects of stress and help prevent further harm.

Some of the most common early warning signs of excess stress are chronic fatigue, excessive irritability or moodiness, amplified or disproportionate anxiety, poor emotional control, noticeable changes in appetite, sleep patterns or sex drive, insomnia, critical feelings of dependency or helplessness and withdrawal from normal activity or responsibility. One may even verbally express signs of stress by making comments or talking about not being able to relax, feeling tense, and inability to focus or stay on task They may verbalize that they don't feel good, right or are miserable and don't know why.

Foods for Stress

If you pay close attention you may notice that you feel extremely fatigued, the TV may sound like it is blaring, a door being shut sounds like it was slammed. One may argue or yell at those around them for seemingly no or petty reasons. These are indicators that stress has reached a critical level and needs to be dealt with.

While it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress it is of equal importance to be prepared for situations or events that are potentially stressful. Undergoing or anticipating major changes to ones life such as a move, change in jobs such as a promotion, new job or retirement or family status such as marriage, adoption or pregnancy.

If undergoing a major change in one aspect of your life it may be advisable to limit or avoid changes in other aspects. Sometimes people feel stressed at certain times of the day or even of the year due to work or other pressures such as family obligations. For some it is the holidays, for others it is the summer or upcoming birthdays or anniversaries.

A good way to monitor stress level or to prepare is to write things down. You may want to try keeping a daily log of events and reactions or even just taking a few moments a day to jot down your feelings or emotions. It is also helpful to write things down such as appointments, to do lists, meal plans, and upcoming events instead of relying on memory as this can cause mental anguish and undue stress.

Companion Remedies for Stress, Anxiety, Depression

MindSoothe - Promotes balanced mood and feelings, as well as healthy levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters
PureCalm - Aids nervous system in stress resistance for balanced moods and feelings of well being
Serenite Plus - Promotes healthy sleep and peaceful nights
Sleep Tonic - Helps maintain a healthy balance of all hormones involved in healthy sleep patterns
Managing Stress & Anxiety - A recent study showed that medical students who learned techniques used in this program significantly reduced stress. And blood samples revealed their immune systems became stronger the more they practiced the techniques!
Mood Tonic - Optimizes nervous system health and promotes balanced mood and peacefulness
Core Inner Strength - Through the focused attention made possible through professional hypnosis, you can begin to see your own worth, and attain your own optimum levels of self-esteem.
Nerve Tonic - Promotes nervous system health, maintains balanced mood and worry-free mind
The Calm Within CD - Offers professional relaxation, visualization and affirmation techniques for self-help and stress reduction
Beyond the Baby Blues - This 2-CD program is designed to lift your spirits, comfort your soul, and create the necessary balance needed while you are adjusting to your new life and new baby.

Natural Stress Cures for Today

11/17/2008
ryans: "i don’t know (New Matilda)
ryans: "i don’t know exactly" Sorry, not good enough. ryans: "regarding your point about desperately wanting to save the RIGHT NOW! you’re just lying now" Thankfully, children are being adopted right now, every month of every passing year. It just tasks people with the gumption to step up the the plate and do their time to keep the rate up. We are trying to shorten the time it takes - ...

ryans: "i don’t know (New Matilda)

11/15/2008
Volunteer opportunities (Savannah Morning News)
Junior League of Savannah

Volunteer opportunities (Savannah Morning News)

11/06/2008
The Three Rivers Film Festival (Pittsburgh City Paper)
The 27th annual Three Rivers Film Festival, presented by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, runs from Fri., Nov. 7, through Nov. 22. The program of more than 40 films includes foreign-language works, American independents, documentaries, shorts, local works and experimental cinema, as well as a sidebar of five... By CP Staff.

The Three Rivers Film Festival (Pittsburgh City Paper)

11/13/2008
The Three Rivers Film Festival (Pittsburgh City Paper)
The 27th annual Three Rivers Film Festival, presented by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, continues through Nov. 22. The program of more than 40 films includes foreign-language works, American independents, documentaries, shorts, local works and experimental cinema, as well as a sidebar of Polish films. On Su... By CP Staff.

The Three Rivers Film Festival (Pittsburgh City Paper)

11/04/2008
The power of stillness (The New Straits Times)
Studies have found that Sahaja Yoga’s meditation techniques are effective in treating a host of ailments, from asthma to mental health. VIJAYA KASINATHAN writes.

The power of stillness (The New Straits Times)

11/14/2008
This week is a good time to look around and Imagine (Stratford City Gazette)
Stephanie Martin-Smith Soul Purpose Remembrance Day has come and gone again, and it makes me wonder in our ever-changing world if the more things change the more they stay the same?

This week is a good time to look around and Imagine (Stratford City Gazette)

11/13/2008
Briefly in Tompkins (The Ithaca Journal)
The NY-Penn Blood Service, the blood collection headquarters for Tompkins County, reports an acute blood shortage in our region.

Briefly in Tompkins (The Ithaca Journal)