Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press
A mother walks with a double stroller in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
If you’re feeling stressed, there’s good news – and bad news.
Not all stress is bad. According to Dr. Jake Veigel, sports medicine physician at Intermountain Health, stress can actually motivate you to get things done if you manage it properly. Eustress, also known as good stress, helps you get your tasks done and sharpen your skills.
On the other hand, grief is the negative side of stress and can have a negative impact on your health.
“Chronic stress not only affects your physical health, but it can also significantly impact your mental well-being,” Veigel said in a press release. “It can lead to a constant state of tension and anxiety that makes it difficult to enjoy life’s moments.”
According to Veigel, adopting a healthy lifestyle and habits can help reduce chronic stress. These include getting enough sleep, exercising and eating right. “It’s not just about staying healthy,” Veigel said. “It’s about living a life where we can push ourselves. Good stress can propel us forward, and lifestyle medicine helps us manage the bad stress that can hold us back.”
And don’t forget to maintain strong social contacts that will give you emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can affect every system in the body, from the respiratory and cardiovascular systems to the gastrointestinal tract and reproductive organs. It can lead to muscle tension, which causes headaches as well as pain in the neck, shoulders and back. It can also lead to shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, weight gain, heart attack, stroke and even chronic fatigue.
The National Library of Medicine also states that after 50 years of research, some studies have shown that stress can cause structural changes in different parts of the brain, which can lead to differences in stress response, perception, and memory.
Learning healthy ways to manage stress can have a hugely positive impact on your overall health. Some tips for managing stress include keeping a journal, practicing relaxation exercises and meditation, making time for hobbies, maintaining healthy friendships, getting enough sleep, getting outside and exercising, and seeking professional counseling.
According to the Mayo Clinic, unhealthy methods of dealing with stress include consuming alcohol, tobacco, drugs, excessive caffeine consumption and overeating.
If you need further assistance, call Intermountain Health at 435-333-3535.
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