While everyone experiences stress at some time or another and there are common symptoms and causes, the reaction can be very different from person to person as are the causes of stress.

Everyone gets stressed from time to time. Stress is actually a normal function of the body. Under certain conditions stress can be helpful. Problems arise when we become overstressed and can’t get over it. Considering that up to one in four people suffer from the adverse health affects that stress can cause and it is estimated that possibly anywhere from seventy to ninety percent of adult visits to doctors are due to stress related complaints costing an estimated 300 billion dollars annually to American industry it would be most beneficial to everyone to take a natural approach to stress management.

While everyone experiences stress at some time or another and there are common symptoms and causes, the reaction can be very different from person to person as are the causes of stress. What causes one person to be highly stressed may not bother another in the least. When we are anxious, hurried, worried or feel threatened our bodies begin to tense up. Constant worry or mental anguish causes constant tension, or stress and begins to take a toll on the body, mind and emotions. This may result in anger, depression, fatigue, physical pain, irritability and many other unpleasant and undesirable reactions. If one can identify what it is that causes them to be in this state then stress can be effectively managed and controlled. While causes and reactions to stress are varied, there are several common approaches that can be taken that can work for everyone. By taking a natural approach and making certain changes one may even be able to avoid most types of stress altogether or at least reduce the frequency and severity of the outcome.

There are several steps that can be taken to help reduce and/or manage stress. One way is to plan ahead. While it is true that we cannot plan or prepare for everything there are things we can do to be more prepared. Plan to arrive early for appointments, meetings, etc. this way if anything does come up you will have some extra time and can avoid the harried feeling one gets when being rushed or worrying about arriving late. Make sure that you have enough gas in your car, enough change for the bus, enough of the basic supplies at home such as food staples, have extra keys made for those times when they get misplaced. Some of these things go along with being prepared. Getting things ready ahead of time, such as preparing a lunch the day before, picking out work and school clothes, also be prepared to wait. Take along a book or magazine to read when waiting in line, waiting for an opening, etc. Get organized. Create a place for everything at home and at your workplace. Put things away when you are finished with them so that you know where they are. Learn to say no and to delegate responsibilities and chores when possible. Taking on too much will surely lead to stress. By making these simple adjustments you are taking a natural approach to stress management.