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Managing Stress

04 Sunday Nov 2007

Posted by in Executive Health

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Nearly 1 out of 3 adults in the U.S report “extreme stress” says a new survey from the American Psychological Association , according to an article in WebMD.

The results include:

  • 32% report extreme stress
  • Nearly one in five (17%) reach their highest stress level 15 or more days per month.
  • Almost half (48%) say their stress level has risen over the last five years.

Most participants — 82% — say they manage their stress well. But they also admit that stress causes problems with their physical and mental health, relationships, and work.

More than three out of four participants — 77% — said that within the previous month, they had had physical problems due to stress. Those problems included fatigue, headache, upset stomach, muscle tension, change in appetite, teeth grinding, change in sex drive, and feeling dizzy.

Almost as many participants — 73% — reported stress-related psychological symptoms in the previous month, including irritability, anger, nervousness, lack of energy, and feeling on the verge of tears.

The top 5 stressors were:-

  • Work: 74%
  • Money: 73%
  • Workload: 66%
  • Children: 64%
  • Family responsibilities: 60%

The American Psychological Association provides these stress management tips:

  • Understand how you experience stress. Everyone is different. How does stress affect you?
  • Identify your sources of stress. What events or situations stress you out?
  • Learn your own stress signals. For instance, you might get irritable, lose energy, have trouble concentrating, get headaches, or feel muscle tension when you’re stressed.
  • Recognize how you deal with stress. Are you making unhealthy choices because of stress?
  • Find healthy ways to manage stress. Examples include exercise, meditation, or talking things out with friends or family.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and engage in regular physical activity.
  • Reach out for support. Accept help from supportive friends and family. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist for pointers on managing stress and changing unhealthy behaviors.
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