(ThyBlackMan.com) There are different types of stress we all experience which could be acute or chronic. The stress may lead to anger, irritability, and anxiety as well as physical stress (heartburn, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure increase). Stress is slowly killing us; there’s the day to day experiences which are fine but the bigger stressors are what lead to worse outcomes.
I should know because I’m on edge all day, every day. High blood pressure and anxiety run in the family but it was only recently that it became problematic. It seemed like no matter how my day was playing out there was always something that would have me feeling like I’m walking on eggshells in terms of triggering my anxiety and panic attacks.
I did what you most likely have done (and more) when it came to dealing with stress:
- Soothing music
- Meditation & yoga
- Doctor’s visit (for an EKG)
I found myself prescribed blood pressure medicine and enough anxiety meds to calm a raging elephant.
I didn’t like the fact that this was becoming my life and it was time to get life back on track. My work was tough enough but now I had to deal with relationship strains, family issues, tough choices in finances, and what seemed to be the starting point of a middle-age crisis.
So I took action.
The first item on my list was to take control of my vices (smoking & drinking). I switched to e-cigs for a while and slowly lowered the nicotine count; one day I decided to go at it cold turkey and it stuck. Around that same time I was doing some info gathering on rehab and what it detailed because I knew my drinking was getting out of control (and it also ran in the family). I looked online for drug rehab in Portland, Oregon and got things into motion. My mind has slowly been lifted from the fog, I feel energized, and with the two vices not being a large part of my life, my blood pressure dropped.
The second course of action was to identify and solve the issue that was my work and finances because these were two stressors that were controlling my life. The biggest shift was talking with my boss and negotiating an option to where I could work from home for a few days a week. Now I wasn’t at the office all the time and I could relax (while still push on work). The other was reading personal finance forums, getting real and talking openly about my finances, and making an effort to save and cut back on items I didn’t need. Once the work and finances came together I felt a huge weight off my shoulders.
The third was being comfortable with being alone. That’s not to say I avoided my friends, family, and coworkers. It meant that I stopped stressing about where I’d be in the next 10 years (because honestly, it’s impossible since people change). I didn’t worry about if I was missing out on some house party or big concert. I took solace in being able to sit down, read, play a few games, watch a movie, and enjoy my surroundings rather than feeling like I needed to always be connected and performing for others.
Of course, what works for me may not for you – but it’s worth a try – plus there are always the core de-stressing activities worth doing like:
- Painting
- Listening to music
- Going for a walk
- Spending time with loved ones
- Watching a funny movie
- Working on crafts
Do whatever works for you in terms of relieving stress but also look at the core issues that may be causing them. You’ll likely find them stemming from personal interactions, health, finances, and, in some areas, existentialism. If you can figure what causes you to stress out you can then begin to attack the issue at the foundation rather than trying to medicate your way through the troubles.
Over to you: What are your big stressors and how do you combat them?
Staff Writer; Lynne Taylor