I experienced a long-term illness relating to prolonged high levels of stress because I hadn’t learned ways to manage stress. I came to a point where I had to do something major about it. It was a life-changing experience. I dove into books, meditation, and prayer. I saturated my mind with research. I took time off work.
My stress resulted from a series of events. Because I hadn’t learned the right ways to manage stress, my body became very sick. What also contributed to my stress was my thought patterns. I always focused on high achievement and tried to go beyond my abilities. As a result I burnt out quite a few times.
Witnessing people twice my age who suffer from an array of problems due to a lack of stress management skills really put things in perspective for me. They have accomplished amazing things, but at the cost of their health, family and own well-being. Seeing the complications and regrets of some of these people has really enforced my desire to learn how to lead a balanced life from a young age.
When my body wasn’t functioning properly, stress was completely overlooked. The doctors and specialists never asked about stress or tested my body for increased cortisol, hormones and symptoms related to stress. I had to find out about those factors through my own research and by turning to a naturopath. I am not against doctors, but the experience made me realize that we are responsible for our own bodies. We need to recognize the warning signs, take time out to center ourselves and always be conscious of our health.
Before you jump into the stress-management techniques, you should look at some of the symptoms of stress to see if you might be suffering from it.

Physical signs of stress:
Tiredness, fatigue, lethargy
Heart palpitations; racing pulse; rapid, shallow breathing
Muscle tension and aches
Shakiness, tremors, tics, twitches
Heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation
Nervousness
Dry mouth and throat
Excessive sweating, clammy hands, cold hands and/or feet
Rashes, hives, itching
Nail-biting, fidgeting, hair-twirling, hair-pulling
Frequent urination
Lowered libido
Overeating, loss of appetite
Sleep difficulties
Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs and medications
Psychological signs of stress:
Irritability, impatience, anger, hostility
Worry, anxiety, panic
Moodiness, sadness, feeling upset
Intrusive and/or racing thoughts
Memory lapses, difficulties in concentrating, indecision
Frequent absences from work, lowered productivity
Feeling overwhelmed
Loss of sense of humor

Prolonged and/or intense stress can have more serious effects. It can make you sick! There are more symptoms/signs—this is just a guide.
Now, what are some ways to manage stress?

1) Don’t rush through life
Why are we all rushing anyways? I don’t want to be morbid, death awaits us all. Are we in a rush to die? People put their health at risk to pursue their ambitions. This can create an urgency that leads to stress. I myself have felt this need to achieve a lot from a young age, with the result that I was always busy and put in a lot of effort toward the future. Currently when I feel that need to rush and be busy, I immediately recognize it and do something about it, even if it means a day or two off. This centers my mind and body and helps me live in the moment. Slow down, enjoy the ride and be effective—not just busy.
For those in their 20s (like me) this quote hit home for me: “Nothing will ruin your 20s more than thinking you should have your life together already.”– Aimee-Cherie


Kindly check out the rest here - http://www.remspot.com.ng/2014/10/10-simple-ways-to-manage-stress-so-it.html

I'm beginning to believe this section does not have mods. Its a shame though, I really like it and would have loved to contribute immensely to it.

good write-up. I ll give it a try

romzyxy:
good write-up. I ll give it a try

Thanks