Coping with Stress

Stress is a part of life. The next thing is to deal with it.

Stress is a common occurrence in our lives and unfortunately, it cannot be avoided.
A little stress is good. It stimulates us to perform better and adds excitement to our lives.
However, too much over time can be harmful.

Too much is bad
How do you know if you are stressed ? You may suffer from the following physical signs and symptons :

* Fast heartbeats
* Tense muscles
* Difficulty sleeping
* Poor appetite or overeating
* Headaches, stomachaches or diarrhoea
* Being anxious and bad-tempered all the time
* Feeling tired and having trouble concentrating

Too much stress can lead to migraines, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attacks, or depression or mental illness.

Other signs of stress include :

* Acting in a defensive, aggressive or impulsive way
* Nervous habits (e.g. stammering or biting one's nails)
* Loss of interest in activities
* Avoidance of tasks
* Being easily distracted
* Withdrawing from social activities
* Drinking or smoking excessively