How much stress you have in your life at this moment? Do you know?
Find out here, with a very simple stress test. But, before testing let’s answer this question for better understanding the stress :
Is it possible to live without stress?
Stress is a part of our everyday lives. We live in a busy world where we can’t run away from conflicts, disappointments, frustrations, losses, and pressures. Because of that, we feel nervous very often, stay awake at night, become angry, or sick.
In fact, it is impossible to be alive and live without stress. We all need stress in our lives to a certain level. That is positive stress which motivates us to do our best, but too much stress can block our ability for coping and solving problems. We lose concentration, become defocused, afraid, with difficulty making decisions even for the simplest things. If we don’t take some action at this moment, our body, mind, and soul will struggle, and in the end, we could become sick.
Stress occurs when a situation or multiple demands overwhelm our ability to cope. The challenge of raising a family, long hours at work, or day-to-day annoyances like traffic, waiting in line, can be very stressful situations.
Stress relief is a good way to increase productivity, stay healthy and enjoy life more.
The most important thing is knowing that our body reacts with stress when we are under some kind of pressure. Stress is happening in our body. But sometimes we are not aware of that. Because our focus is out of us, on something we have to do. So it is good to stop, take a deep breath and ask yourself – Am I under stress? What am I doing for stress relief?
If you don’t understand this, can be too late for your health.
Now, test yourself with this simple but very accrued stress test.
Take this stress test!
Check the box if the statement is true about you.
o I often have digestive upsets.
o I tend to lose my temper easily.
o I have trouble sleeping.
o People say I’m a “worry wart.”
o I have difficulty concentrating.
o I feel tired and drained all the time.
o I watch a lot of TV.
o I often get migraines or tension headaches.
o I feel “blue” and have a hard time getting over it.
o I’m really impatient with other people.
o I feel “burned out”.
o I feel the harder I work, the more behind I get.
Now Count the Check!
If your score is:
0-3 Congratulations! This stress test show that your stress level is OK.
4-8 You have quite a few symptoms of stress. You have to incorporate some steps for reducing stress in your life.
9-12 The many symptoms you are experiencing may be related to high levels of stress. You must right away take some activity for stress relief because you are on risk for disease.
Whether your score is low or high, Healthy Smart Life suggests you start doing something in your life that could bring you some stress relief. You can follow the below activities that can raise well-being in your lives. Start doing them as soon as possible, don’t lose time anymore especially if your score on the test was high.
1. One powerful way for stress relief is to incorporate everyday exercise into your daily routine. Jogging just 20 minutes a day can change your body chemistry in a way to reduces stress significantly. This is because aerobic exercise causes the body to produce endorphin which is a neurotransmitter and creates a sense of wellbeing. It is a legal drug that our body produces for itself. Endorphin stand for endo and morphine (internal morphine), which means we as a human being can produce legal drugs for wellbeing.
2. Most people do not think of coffee, cola, or chocolate as the source of a powerful drug that actually generates a stress reaction in the body. But too much caffeine in our body means high heart rate, increase blооd pressure, stay awake even you are very exhausted. Decrease by one drink per day until you reach zero, then abstain for three weeks and you will notice a benefit: feel more relaxed, less nervous, sleep better, have more energy, less heartburn, and fewer muscle aches. Your body starting back to balance.
3. Sometimes people drink alcohol to relieve stress but be aware this can be contra productive because alcohol is a depressant. Only for a short time while drinking alcohol we can mask stress symptoms but shortly they come back bigger than before.
4. Taking daily a multivitamin can also strengthen your body to better cope with stress. Many nutritionists also recommend taking vitamin C and calcium supplements in addition to daily vitamins.
5. Getting enough oxygen into your body is critical when stress starts to build. If you feeling anxious focus on breathing in deeply through your nose, slowly out through your mouth repeatedly. This can also help to slow the heart rate.
6. Even if you are very busy, it is useful to take time out for yourself during the day to calm your mind and to take a mental break. When you get back to work you often find you can work more effectively and with less stress.
7. Laughing is a helpful way to relieve stress, so try to have a sense of humor. Researchers show that smiling releases endorphins just like exercising. The simple act of smiling can actually help feel better. Good ways to smile is to just become friendlier when you communicate with people.
Also thinking of pleasing things like a happy moment with your loved ones, playing with puppies or planning a vacation, can take you out of a stressful moment and add you to a better frame of mind.
Learning how to control your stress level with breathing, exercising or short break off work can be very helpful in your life. With these simple steps, you will become calmer in the center of the hurricane.
You have to be only persistent. Use these simple activities every day, and you are going to make something for your health in the easiest possible way.
Read next: Who is your Biggest Enemy
