Aging Allergies Anxiety, Worry & Fear Bursitis Carpal Tunnel Check-Ups Cooking Feeling Healthy Fibromyalgia Handling Stress Feet Children Nagging Aches Nervous System Posture Pregnancy Sciatica Scoliosis Subluxation Wry Neck Your Car Healthy Habits How to Handle Stress Stress has two sides: positive and negative. Researchers tell us that too little stress prompts the brain to ask for more. Most people do better with some stress, challenge, and competition. So, if the brain gets overly bored, it will send out stress signals. There are also points when you reach the stress overload. For this reason, it is good to learn ways that can help you handles stress. It is very possible to become more stress resistant by developing hardy personality characteristics for challenge, commitment and control. Here are some tips that can help you learn to use stress positively: Accept yourself for your many good qualities and do not dwell on the bad. Do not expect perfection in yourself and in others. Do not judge negatively and do not dwell on what should have been done. Confront your fears and doubts instead of hiding them, and gain control in the process. Think of pleasant things, now awful things, that can happen to you and those around you. Demonstrate positive emotions. It is healthier and more fun to be an optimist rather than a pessimist. Recognize that change, not stability, is the norm in life. Perceive it as a challenge, not a threat. Commit yourself to values that you deem important. Regular exercise such as walking or meditation is far more effective than drugs in stress control. Laughter, diversions, and friends are also good methods. Often, negative stress perception (especially when do to anxiety) can lead to physical symptoms such as muscle tension, particularly in the back and neck. It can also lead to an autonomic nervous system response that increases blood pressure and heart rate, creates fast and shallow breathing, and leaves you with sweaty palms and a dry mouth. It is important to break this anxiety cycle before it escalates, and chiropractic care can help. Your Doctor of Chiropractic can address any possible nerve irritation that may be adding to your stress while also removing muscular tension and increasing circulation. Many patients report a warm feeling of relaxation after chiropractic care. All of these suggestions can help you keep your own stress under control as a positive factor in your life. Learn to put stress in its place and let it work for you. Sign-up to receive Dr. Dave's bi-monthly newsletter, filled with helpful information to keep yourself healthy and happy. Add me Remove Me Email List Management by Ezine Director Download these two exclusive reports: "6 Secrets to a Healthy Pain-Free Body" and "6 Secrets to a Healthy Child". Copyright © 2003, Dr. David Koivuranta. All rights reserved.