There are countless studies and evidence documenting the negative impact on our well-being from stress. In the short-term people suffer from headaches, GI distress, fatigue, anxiety, and muscle tension. Long term risks of chronic stress include sleep disorders and insomnia, high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and lowered immune response.
Are Daily Stressors that Big of a Deal?
Daily stressors don’t sound nearly as bad as chronic stressors. It would seem logical that daily stressors are by nature transient and could just as easily be gone by the next day. Perhaps we are making mountains out of mole hills and making too big of a deal about these little irritants and stressors. Daily stressors are not typically things that are overwhelming and bring us to tears or to our knees. They are pester some things like running late in the morning, dealing with demanding pets or kids, enduring rush hour traffic, cramming to get that work project done to meet the deadline, having to stop at the store for dinner supplies on the way home, an argument with your significant other, and feeling some financial strain and dwelling on how that unexpected bill will get paid at the end of the month.
None of these are going to be devastating in isolation. There is, however, a cumulative effect when it comes to stress. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are often routinely and sometimes continuously floating through our system. Even at low levels, it has the effect of wearing us down, depleting our reserves and producing those short-term symptoms mentioned above. For some, this insidious and relentless burden amounts to death by a thousand cuts. The cumulative effect over time results in waking up one day depressed and barely able to function.
Ways to Cope with Daily Stressors
As these daily stressors drain us, it is important that we take steps to counteract this impact and replenish ourselves. When your fuel tank on the car is running low, you stop and refill it. It only makes sense that we do the same. The vehicle that is your mind and body needs maintenance and care. Many of us feel like time is too short and precious and cannot be squandered on self-care. A two-hour candlelit hot tub or weekend getaway would be ideal but is generally not practical for most of us; certainly not every day or week.
Just as daily stressors are short lived not altogether that time consuming, so too can be the case with daily coping and self-care. Little things can make all the difference to counterbalance those stressors. Examples include: calling a friend on the way home to vent and process, putting in your ear bubs and listening to your favorite music while you work, taking a 5-10 minute walk outside to breath some fresh air and get your blood flowing, taking 10-20 minutes at lunch or dinner to indulge a favorite activity such as reading, writing, gaming, or sewing, doing a 30 minute work out after work, hugging and snuggling a family member, or doing some deep breathing and meditation to name just a few. The little things can break you down, so be sure you do some little things to build yourself back up.
If you want help exploring better ways to take care of yourself, IPC has both psychologists and psychiatrists that are here to help you on the journey to feeling better. Feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment for testing. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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