Steps to Manage your Reaction to Stress
Stress.
We all have it. But can you really appreciate what stress does to your body?
Chronic stress has been associated with headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, muscle pain, depression, irritability, and chronic pain.
If you suffer from headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle fatigue, you may want to seek some help. When stress is involved, a physical therapy session will start with techniques to promote relaxation. We incorporate breathing techniques, soft tissue mobilization, heat and ice, exercise, and even focused meditation. These techniques help us break the stress induced pain cycle. Once the cycle has been broken, we focus your education. We teach you to learn how to recognize the signs of stress, and teach yourself strategies to manage your reaction to stress. It’s really the reaction to stress that can be the problem.
If you think you get stress related pain try these tips to control your stress reaction:
- Exercise regularly. Schedule exercise time if you have to. Find something you you like, and stick to it.
- Get enough sleep. Try to get 7-9 hours per night.
- Organize your day ahead of time. This will give you a sense of control, and reduce useless worry.
- Prioritize your daily tasks to simplify your life. Make your to do list with reasonable expectations. Don’t over schedule your time.
- Plan time for yourself. Even if only a few minutes, take time to clear your head. You may choose to meditate, or use breathing techniques to divert your attention away from the stress of the day.
If you’re wondering how stress may be effecting you… try this helpful stress assessment test.
And if you’re feeling like you need help to overcome your stress related pains, we’re always here for you. Just contact our office or just leave us a comment on this post and we’ll be glad to help you like we’ve helped so many of our patients.
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