It is important to remember that showing signs of stress does not mean you are a weak individual who cannot cope! It means you are a normal human being like everyone else, but a person who is being affected by stress.
You might have found yourself thinking, “What’s the point of it all? I feel like a rat on a treadmill,” especially when you’re stuck in traffic, dealing with unexpected bills, or feeling overwhelmed at work. For life to be truly enjoyable, we all need challenges that we feel we can handle. However, life often throws us challenges that seem beyond our ability to cope, and it’s in these moments that coping with stress becomes essential.
Stress arises when we feel that the demands placed on us exceed our ability to meet them. It’s not the presence of challenges that causes stress but the perception that we cannot manage them. While some challenges invigorate us and give life purpose, others can leave us feeling drained and defeated. Recognizing the difference and finding ways to manage the stress from those seemingly unmanageable challenges is crucial to maintaining balance and well-being in our lives.
Stress affects us all differently, but understanding how it impacts us as individuals is the first step toward managing it. If we’re willing to make changes in our lifestyle and diet, we can mitigate its effects on our bodies. It’s crucial to remember that showing signs of stress doesn’t mean you’re weak or incapable of coping. It simply means you’re human, like everyone else, dealing with the challenges life throws your way.
In my clinical experience, I’ve observed that people react to stress in unique ways because we are all different. Some have passive personalities, while others are more competitive and dominating. Their life experiences and conditioning vary greatly, as does their state of health. Coping with stress and everyday pressures is especially tough when you’re already feeling tired and worn out.
I can only imagine how many people in America are suffering from stress and burnout, often misdiagnosed as depression and told to “get on with it.” Growing up in the 1960s, I’ve witnessed how life has changed dramatically since then. The pace, the demands, and the pressures have all intensified, making stress a pervasive part of modern life. But by understanding and addressing it, we can build resilience and better navigate the challenges we face.
Life Today: Too Hurried, Too WorriedMy mother, born in 1931, often reflects on how much faster life moves today. She remembers the 50s and 60s, a time when stress existed but was nothing like what we face now. Back then, many women were “stay-at-home moms,” managing the household but still finding time to relax in the evenings and on weekends. Today, women juggle two demanding roles—the job and the household. Is it any wonder they feel exhausted, irritable, and struggle to find time for close, intimate relationships? Modern life has simply become too rushed.
The 21st century brings with it immense time pressure and relentless competition. The increasing prevalence of marriage and partnership breakdowns, along with the decline of long-term job security, adds to the stress. It’s no surprise that people often feel overwhelmed. The recent global financial crises, inflation, the pandemic, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have only compounded these pressures, placing even more financial strain on already burdened families. Life goes on, but so do the bills—and the stress of trying to keep up.
You probably know a few people around you who are finding it all too much. Try reading: Are you heading for burnout? What are the common signs of stress?
Hint: they are some of the most common reasons people visit their doctors. In fact, stress is the Number One health problem.
We have estimated that about 90% of all doctor visits are stress related. And, we have become a society where there is a “pill for every ill”. But don’t count on your average medical doctor diagnosing and adrenal (burn-out) issues, or physiological reasons for your fatigue apart from the same old line: “you’ve probably got a low iron count or vitamin B12 deficiency” diagnosis. A high percentage of doctors are themselves burned-out or fatigued, making the diagnosis of your fatigue particularly challenging for your health care professional.
Healthcare today often prioritizes convenience. For instance, if someone visits a medical clinic complaining of insomnia, they’re likely prescribed a sleeping pill. If they come in with a headache, they get a headache pill. It’s often a quick fix approach.
In 2008, I had a discussion with a well-known New Zealand doctor who attended a talk by an American specialist on adrenal fatigue. The doctor noted that he recognized about half of his patients in the presentation but lamented, “In our clinic, we nearly always prescribe an anti-depressant when a patient complains about fatigue.”
If you’re feeling tired and down, it might be wise to explore whether you’re dealing with clinical depression or if fatigue is leading to anxiety and depression. In 2007, doctors in New Zealand wrote over one million antidepressant prescriptions for a population of just over four million. That’s quite a lot, don’t you think?
Now, imagine the number of antidepressants being prescribed in the USA to patients suffering from adrenal fatigue—likely millions.
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When faced with stress, many people turn to quick fixes like alcohol, junk food, tobacco, or self-medicating with drugs—whether it’s headache pills, sleeping pills, or something else. But is this really the solution? I often ask my patients this very question, tailored to their specific behaviors: “Why do you drink alcohol daily?” “Why do you consume several cups of coffee?” “Why do you smoke cigarettes or weed, or have other compulsive habits like snacking on chocolate or chips?”
The most common response is, “Because I like it, it makes me feel good.” The key phrase here is “to feel good.” If you’re constantly seeking something to make you “feel good,” or looking for a boost, a hit, a lift, a buzz—whatever it may be—this could be a sign that your adrenal health is compromised.
Chronic stress can lead to a cycle of seeking temporary relief through these habits, but over time, this can seriously impair both your mental and physical health. It’s crucial to recognize when stress is driving these behaviors and to take positive action to manage it. Addressing stress proactively, rather than relying on temporary fixes, is essential for maintaining your overall well-being.
The following proven coping strategies can help you reduce the effects of stress in your life:
Pay attention to the signals your body sends you when stress starts to build up. This could include sudden anxiety, extreme tiredness, feeling tearful, or frequently catching colds, flu, and feeling run down.
Take a moment to reflect on what’s really causing you stress. You might be surprised by the sources. Consider what actions you can take to change things. Ask yourself how much of your stress is self-imposed. Are your expectations, or those of others, realistic?
During stressful times, it’s easy to fall into the trap of poor habits like not eating well, smoking more, or turning to alcohol. These may provide temporary relief, but they often worsen the problem in the long run. Instead, try the following:
– Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and keep sugar intake to a minimum to support your immune system, especially during times when you feel run down.
– Eat for Energy: Regular meals with the right foods can boost your energy levels and improve your mood.
– Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body, and limit alcohol intake, as it dehydrates you.
Keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to a minimum. Avoid turning to nicotine or other self-prescribed drugs as a way to cope.
Don’t feel guilty about setting aside time for relaxation every day. We all need to switch off from time to time. Find something you enjoy that fits into your life, such as reading, listening to music, practicing yoga or meditation, or enjoying a warm bath with aromatherapy oils.
Make exercise a regular part of your life. Choose activities that are suitable for you—walking daily is one of the best and easiest options.
Are you often saying “yes” when you really mean “no”? Do you find yourself always running late or frustrated that you could have done a better job with more time? Learn to be more assertive and manage your time properly. Many of us waste time making excuses for things we haven’t done. There are excellent courses and books available to help with time management and assertiveness.
Attending a stress management course can be beneficial even if you’re not currently feeling stressed. It’s better to know how to handle stress before it overwhelms you. These courses can provide valuable tools for managing stress effectively.
Consider treatment for adrenal fatigue. I recommend a B Complex vitamin along with Magnesium as dietary supplements to support your body during stressful times.
Links to Articles of Interest