Managing Stress Without The Use Of Drugs
By James Brann, MD, Thu Dec 8th

In today’s fast paced environment, many people are under a lotof stress. Women are even more susceptible to the strains ofeveryday life. Some are single mothers that work full time jobsand then come home and care for their baby. They are overworked, underpaid and under extreme stress.

Many women go to their family doctors complaining aboutheadaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmlyexplain to them that they have stress problems, and to take afew days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate thesymptoms.

While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn’t treat theroot problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress willstill be present. And who has the time to put their feet up andrelax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home?

So what are the alternatives?

Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in thisarticle, but the first thing you have to do is figure out thecause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. Whatis stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. Forinstance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot ofanxiety, but to some it is a joy.

Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to thinkof ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks andtips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs.

Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in alot of cases is because when a person is under significantstress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breathwithout even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack ofoxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck andabdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feeluptight.

If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop andcheck your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deepbreaths through your nose and out through your mouth.

Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this cancause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something youenjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes justtalking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems.

Regular

Exercise: It has been scientifically proven thatexercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just goingfor a walk each night. You will boost your energy level makingit easier to cope with the stress of daily life.

Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for anappointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day.Insure that you have enough time to get to all of yourappointments. Maybe invest in a day planner.

Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eatproper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excesssugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high,but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properlymaintained will be better able to cope with stress.

Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol anddrugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that thesethings are helping with your stress they are really harming you.Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only atemporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem thatyou were trying to escape will still be there.

Change Your Surroundings: Make sure that you are as comfortableas possible. If your chair at work is causing your back to hurt,change it. If your bed is causing backache and lack of sleep,change it. Why put your mind and body under stress that can beeasily avoided.

Go to Your Happy Place: Try daydreaming for a minute if you feelstressed out. Imagine a sunny beach, or a quiet cottage. Imaginethe tastes and sounds. A few minutes of imagined vacation can dowonders for your mental outlook, and relieve stress.

These are just a few techniques that will help you cope withyour stress levels. Try concentrating on the positive aspects ofyour life, and not the negative. Without some stress life wouldbe boring, but too much of anything can kill you.

About the author:Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician andGynecologist and a Fellow of the American College ofObstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also Editor of Women'sHealthcare Topics. http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com

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