I would like some help with stress.?!

I would like some help with stress.?

I just wanted to know some tips on how to deal with stress, im mostly stress with everything. And im finding it hard to think staight. And if you could.... can stress affect the eyes??

Hi there,

1. The first part of your question asks for some aids to reduce stress. Well, here goes:

a. Find ways to relax and you must relax. If you are generally hyperactive, work excessively 2, 3, jobs plus school you have now to lighten up both your effort and your load of work. Try to work smarter by prioritizing and attending to what's most important and not most urgent.
Why? Because this will lighten how much stress you feel.
Ways to relax include:

Deep breathing exercizes. Take in a deep breath to the count of 8, hold it briefly then let it out to the count of 8. Try this a couple of times each day especially when and if you feel overwhelmed for any reason.

The key to reducing the effects of stress in your life is to take as much control of your circumstances as you can at this time and slowly increase your control over your life. In technical jargon this means increasing your internal locus of control and not be manipulated primarily by external factors (external locus of control).

2. See a therapist/psychologist that is reputable and cost effective (not too costly). Discuss with him/her the issues that are affecting you directly. This will take some amount of trust and vulnerability for you especially if you tend to be shy. Maybe not !

3. Develop a hobby that is out doors eg. walking , swimming, or general exercise. Why ? Because a healthy body is less prone to the negative effects of stress like anxiety and depression, cardiac (heart related) and other diseases as well (even if you are still young).

Deep breathing exercises produce more oxygen immediately available to the brain and helps it to relax, it reduces excessive brain activity, production levels of cortisol and adrenaline, the brain begins to feel normal again. Exercise preforms basically the same function.

4. Listen to soothing music e.g instrumental, jazz, classical or simply music that you like and which is up beat like R & B or pop music not loud rock, grunge, heavy metal etc. These will both relax you and produce more positive chemicals called endorphins for the brain to utilize and make you feel good/fine.

5. Please try to eat healthily, cut down drastically on junk food and sodas which are not especially healthy.

6. Get enough sleep at least 8 hours daily as best you can at this time in your life. You are trying to counter the negative effects of stress. Adequate sleep relaxes, and refreshes your nervous system which includes your brain, & spinal cord.

7. If your levels of stress are abnormally high (been experiencing for some time now) excessive cortizone/adrenaline production can compromise your general mental health. You can become exhausted psychologically and require mental health intervention including drug therapy.
This is what we are trying to avoid for now.

8. Experiencing chronic and acute stress (long term and sharp/intense) can affect your eye muscles and nerves. Have this checked out if you notice or are experiencing any new or uncomfortable feelings in your eyes or note a change in your vision. See an eye doctor (opthalmologist) after you've seen your GP (General Practitioner) While you are there please get a complete physical if you have never done so or its' been some time sinse your last check up.

9. Finally you can control and monitor successfully the amount of stress you feel by doing the things recommended.

10. Stress is a subjective state (each persons experience of stress can differ somewhat) It is the symptoms of stress that you are experiencing. The things causing the stress are called stressors, so controlling them is the key to reducing the amount of stress you experience currently.

11. If you practise general health and do not experience any relief or if in your opinion your situation is getting worse please see immediately a psychiatrist or other expert in stress management who might be more appropriate.

12. I'm a little concerned about your reported lack of clarity in your thinking. Watch it carefully. Get the support you need and I don't only mean from an intimate relationship. Change jobs if you must.

Best of luck and remember the you can do it.

Barry H