Stress weakens us, both physically and mentally.

Stress is a normal part of life, in some cases even serves us to deal with one or another situation. It can affect people of any age, gender, and occur in many different circumstances. But stress is really dangerous when it becomes chronic.

Chronic stress may be very dangerous

Many of the stressors which we have to deal nowadays became chronic. These are problems and issues that cannot be easily solved.
This is quite different stage of stress, which may be useful as we provide motivation and energy to get through a situation. Daily stressors can be controlled with appropriate behaviors to manage stress.
• to relax,
• to talk with friends about what happened
• to take a deep breath several times
• to rethink the situation we are facing.

All these strategies can do our job to go through everyday causes of stress.

Unfortunately, when stressors, we face are too serious – such as we are only caring for a sick family member is much more difficult to deal with stress. Chronic stress is different from the daily in that it may be permanent and to continue a long period of time. Therefore, it can weaken us physically and mentally.

The consequences of chronic stress are serious – a sense of anxiety and depression, but they may increase the risk of other serious, such as cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Chronic stress can occur when you ignore or do not control well the daily stressors, or when going through very traumatic events.

Several studies have shown a strong link between problems such as insomnia and chronic stress. This stress may negatively impact either individually or together on the immune, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and central nervous systems.

But how to learn to limit the consequences of this chronic stress?

First step, of course, is to recognize it and acknowledge it exists. We cannot do anything about the problem that we do not acknowledge here and now.

Second, we must find time to absorb and implement the necessary strategies for coping with stress. Most of these skills require dedication and time to practice. The use of relaxation exercises is a good idea, but when you have to learn these exercises and get used to practice them regularly. Exercise is also a good option to control stress – as increasing endorphins in the body and help treat mild forms of depression and anxiety. But again the question arises that we must take time for these exercises.

The support of others is also important and can be useful, but, of course, still have enough time – to send an email to friends or call to talk, without hurry, pressed by circumstances.

Meditation helps the body and mind to relax and focus.

All these techniques will help you to see new perspectives to create a feeling of forgiveness and compassion for yourself and start rethinking your priorities in life.

Finally, there is an opportunity that requires no extra time. It includes perhaps forgotten  ability to smile and look with humor on the situations that we face. Laughter helps relieve some of this tension and to see more “pink” in the world. And no doubt people around us are more likely to respond positively to a smile than a grimace.

Again, the key to coping with chronic stress is recognizing the problem and taking responsibility to do what is necessary to overcome it: to take a break, to focus, to find one to look after children for two or three hours or do any of the household work while we rearrange and rethink your priorities and consider how to take care of yourself as suggested requirements and expectations that you set ourselves.