Everyone suffers from stress, it’s just part of life. However, for some people stress may seem to rule their lives. It’s an unhealthy thing, for those that are controlled by their stress. It can make you ill, cause you to fall off the wagon, and instigate fights in all of your relationships (even work ones).
Some stress is good and helps push you through the day. Without stress, humans might not have their “fight or flight” response, which could lead to even more troubles. But, if you’re letting stress control you, here are some of the negative things it could be doing to you and your life.
Anger Issues
Stress can cause a short fuse for many people. It can make you snap at your significant other, your kids, and even your boss (and if you do that too often you may find yourself single and jobless). While there is no way to stop stress from happening, you can change the way you react to it.
Start by understanding that everyone goes through this and that soon the stress will pass and you’ll be right back on the path your stepped off of. When you feel anger brewing, take a break from what you’re doing and do something that calms you. Try breathing techniques and/or meditation.
Depression And Anxiety
When stress controls your life it can cause other issues as well. Many people suffering from chronic stress also find themselves suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Before all of these issues lead you to self-medicating, find things to do that calm your nerves.
Yoga is a great relaxer, for all of these issues. You can also take up a relaxing hobby, like painting or journaling.
Heart Troubles
Stress does a lot of damage to your body, including your heart. It increases your risk of heart disease, for one thing. It also might turn you into a stress eater, which can increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
If you really want to strengthen your heart and help defeat stress, start a regular exercise routine. Not only does a good cardio workout help make your lungs and heart stronger, but it also causes your brain to release endorphins. Those are feel-good hormones that will help you feel less stressed and less depressed.
Family Problems
If you let stress control your life you may end up out of control when it comes to your family. If you are taking your daily stress out on your significant other or your children you could be one step away from abuse. Not only can stress make you step over the edge to physical abuse, but your constant anger emitting toward your family is also emotional abuse.
One thing that can help with this is to learn to communicate with them better. Talk your problems out and you may be able to get them off your shoulders and find peace in your household again.