If you've noticed that you're more short-tempered than normal, easily agitated, prone to emotional outbursts, or suffering from frequent headaches, don't break out the medical dictionary. You might be afflicted with a bad case of stress.
Stress is a physical and/or psychological manifestation of outside circumstances, and each one of us reacts differently. Some people eat more; some eat less. Others have been known to develop insomnia, while many can't seem to keep their eyes open. Some develop unexplained illnesses.
Being a student or performing a job search can add additional pressure; planning your future is hard work. You can't perform at an optimal level if you're a big ball of stress. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to your body, and recognize when you're stressed out, so that you can relieve yourself, resume control of your body and mind, and be productive.
There are a lot of tempting negative stress-relievers that should be avoided, such as substance abusing, succumbing to urges to sleep all day, and overindulgence in eating and shopping. While those things might temporarily soothe your worn psyche, they will ultimately do more damage.
There are many ways to positively manage stress and keep it from getting the best of you.
Bend the ear of a buddy. Vent to a close friend or family member. Have them talk you through your problems. You might feel better when you let it all out.
Manage your finances. Money is one of the leading sources of stress, and therefore it's important not to mismanage your resources. Create a budget, and, if necessary, devise a plan to eliminate any consumer debt.
Journal. If you'd rather keep your frustrations close to the vest, grab a pen and a notebook and write it all down. It's a good way of releasing stress and creating memories.
Get physical. Exercise serves the dual purpose of letting out aggression while building a great physique. Run outside or on the treadmill, pop in an aerobics video, or go to the gym.
Healthy diet.
As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. A steady intake of fast food and soft drinks is doing nothing for your mind or body. Plan nutritious well-balanced meals that are good for you, and boost your immune system to fight off stress-related illnesses.
Be alone. If being constantly surrounded by people is stressing you out, make time for yourself. Whether you spend your time meditating, taking a walk, or watching your favorite television show, give yourself a well-deserved break from everyone.
Sleep. Sleep is necessary for mental and physical health. The optimal amount of sleep varies by person. While you don't want to sleep the day away, you also want to make sure to get enough sleep to rejuvenate your body, and prevent sickness.
Laugh. Get into the habit of finding the humor in a situation that you might have previously considered to be stressful. A positive attitude can dramatically reverse the effects of stress, and you'll be surprised at how funny life can be!