Do you know how to control stress ? If not, then this blog is for you.

Imagine this for a moment…

Your boss has just given you a query at work because you sent in a report late, your child just wouldn’t stop crying at night and you are deeply stressed out from the thought of all the work you are yet to do…

Based on a Bloomberg study carried out in 2015, Nigeria is one of the most stressful countries to live in in the world.

Without even overthinking it, frequent health checks should be made mandatory to detect early signs of health complications that relate to stress at medical facilities like diagnostics centres in Nigeria.

Stress is prominent in our day-to-day lives. From the inconsistent power supply, substandard roads, and unending traffic to high costs of living and an increase in financial obligations. The list goes on and on.

What is stress? 

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, stress is defined as a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in life, work, etc. It is also referred to assomething that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety. In very simple terms, stress means the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure. 

It is the reaction we have when we get pressured, and we all have different triggers. Common stress triggers include going through an unexpected situation or an experience that threatens our sense of self. 

It should be said that everyone experiences stress. It is a part of life, but we all deal with it differently. The way we react to stress depends on factors such as our genetics, early-life events, personality, social and economic circumstances.

Symptoms of stress

According to the NHS UK, common symptoms of stress could be classified into physical, mental, and behavioral changes. Some of the physical changes include headaches, dizziness, a faster heartbeat, chest pain, muscle tension or pain, stomach problems, sexual problems. 

Mental complaints include problems with concentration and difficulty in making decisions, forgetfulness, constant worry, and feeling of being overwhelmed. Sometimes, we manifest behavioural changes like eating too little or too much, drinking, smoking, or using other dangerous substances deleterious to health, sleeping problems, irritability, and avoidance of people or places. 

How to control stress?

The ideal thing to do when stress is observed is to visit a physician, who then recommends investigations that can be done in any diagnostic centre in Nigeria to arrest the situation. Continual exposure to stress can result in several health problems which may lead to terminal illnesses. Therefore, important work needs to be done in managing it. 

Here are some of the realistic things you can do to manage stress:

• Eat well to optimize your diet: Consuming balanced meals can help give you the energy you need to keep active and combat stress. You should also avoid eating too much, as it can be counterproductive in stress management. So even if you do frequently monitor your health, you still need to manage your diet efficiently

• Ensure you exercise regularly: Exercises are not only great for physical health, but they are also amazing stress relievers. physical activities like, jogging, aerobic exercises, and strengthening with weights are methods to help you release endorphins and feel better.

• Take time out to practice relaxation: Creating some time in your daily schedule to relax will guard your body against potential breakdowns and the effects of stress. There is a range of different techniques that you can employ including breathing, mindfulness meditation, imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.

• Reduce your stress triggers: Life can be filled with several demands, however, finding a way to free up some time will do you a whole lot of good. Time management tools such as asking for help, setting priorities, and pacing yourself can be very beneficial.

• Set realistic goals: It is important to be aware of some of the things which are simply beyond your control. Try to work on what you can and leave the rest.

• Enroll for a routine health check: You may schedule an annual or twice-annual general health check to screen for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol abnormalities, heart, kidney, or other organ problems. Your doctor may request some laboratory tests to check for any abnormalities in your organ or system at any of the diagnostic centres in Nigeria like Afriglobal Medicare.

Early detection reduces complications related to stress. Please consult your doctor before getting any diagnostic test done. Book an appointment today !