By: Ron Harper

There are a multitude of ways of dealing with stress. Some have been borrowed from other cultures and religions. The Hindus have yoga and the Japenese have zen. Both of these methods are excellent ways of relieving stress. Yoga is a method of stretching the muscles of various body parts as well as use of positions to relax various parts of the body. Zen is more of a psychological approach to relaxation. It emphasizes relaxing the body through meditation. It can be very effective at relieving stress, especially if practiced on a daily basis.

Other ways of relieving stress include outdoor walks, various types of breathing exercises, or other forms of physical activity. Some may enjoy listening to music or cooking.

Unfortunately, not all stress relievers are physically safe or healthy. Some people turn to smoking cigarettes (or other substances), alcohol, or drugs. I personally believe that these forms of stress relief should be avoided.

Acupuncture and hypnosis can be tried. Certified professionals should be sought if you want to try one of these methods.

If your own attempts at stress relief fail, do not hesitate to consult your physician. For some, medication is required, at least temporarily. By all means, make sure you do something. Ignoring it will only cost you more mentally and physically in the future.

Natural products can be just as effective and in some cases, more potent, than the man made substances. Some of these also contain a high amount of desirable vitamins and minerals. However, if you're going to use alternative medicine, do your research first. Make sure that you know the ingredients of what you are taking. Some may contain other substances and chemicals which are harmful. You should also be aware of the fact that many natural substances have their own set of side effects and drawbacks. For instance St John's Wart can cause prolonged bleeding times. Always be sure that your physician is aware of any natural or herbal supplements you are using.***

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Due to the growing popularity and demand for natural and herbal remedies, the FDA is now trying to begin to regulate these substances as well.
Look around and try different methods of stress relief. Find one that works for you so you can stop stressing.
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By: Roger I. Rowe

To understand the whole concept of post-traumatic stress disorder, we first must come to grips with the root causes of PTSD, as it is most commonly known. This is a set of symptoms which first began to be recognized as early as the American Civil War, 1860 -1865. Doctors began to note symptoms in veterans on both sides of that conflict that prevented the veterans from reentering civilian life. Some of the symptoms included severe nightmares that usually had to do with sounds and memories of battle. Some veterans experienced what we now know to be panic attacks. Certain things would trigger memories of battle, such as a gunshot or something snapping, like a twig - and it would set off an episode of PTSD. Over the years since the Civil War, the causes of PTSD have been more widely recognized. For example, in World War I, it was noted that veterans returning home from the war in Europe seemed to be changed in a way that was inexplicable to those on the home front. This condition began to be known as shell shock. By the time World War II took place, the military was more than familiar with the causes of PTSD and had begun to work on treatment methods.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is not restricted to soldiers alone, however. Anyone who has experienced an event in their life that has left a deep emotional scar can manifest symptoms of PTSD. For example, a woman who has been raped may experience symptoms; she may have panic attacks when she is around strange men or when she is walking in a dark hallway, if that is similar to where her attack took place. Likewise, people who have been through a major natural disaster may manifest symptoms of PTSD. Earthquake victims, for example, may go into a state of extreme panic when anything shakes their surroundings, whether it is something as benign as a steamroller on a street or a genuine earthquake. Some of the causes of PTSD may also include car accidents or witnessing a violent attack on another person. Doctors have reported that small children who have undergone surgery have also subsequently developed symptoms of PTSD. Similarly, people who have been victims of gunshot wounds may experience symptoms of PTSD.

It should also be noted that not everyone who experiences a major traumatic event will develop symptoms of PTSD. For those who have developed symptoms of PTSD, it is heartening to know that there are new treatments available that will, in most cases, achieve remarkable results and allow the sufferer to return to a semblance of normal life once again. There is hope for those who suffer from this often debilitating disorder - life can be good again and you can feel normal. ***

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Take control of your life and conquer the effects of PTSD. Discover the new technologies and innovations that make it easier for you to understand and recognize the symptoms and get rid of their causes in a quick and easy way. Learn more about what the traditional world of psychology DOES NOT want you to know. Roger I. Rowe is a champion of sufferers of PTSD and provides multiple avenues of relief for those whom have yet to find a solution for the effects of PTSD.
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By: Anna Rushton

Stress is a natural part of life; it's how you deal with it that makes the difference between health and illness, success and failure.

I have been writing and talking about health for over 20 years, and in that time I have seen so many people challenged by the stresses of their everyday lives. In today's challenging economic climate the pressures on all of us have increased a hundred fold and learning how to deal with stress is a vital part of staying healthy, productive and happy. What I want to share with you are the many ways you can begin to tackle the effects that stress is having on your health and happiness. First let me tell you about my simple and effective 3 point plan.

1 ACKNOWLEDGE it. We often ignore stress and pretend everything is ok. We don't want others to know that we are stressed, and in the workplace most employees would rather tell their boss they have taken the day off for a dentist's appointment than admit they are stressed and couldn't face going in. We don't give stress the importance it warrants because we are afraid to face up to it. The first step is acknowledging that you are stressed, and that it is not a weakness but a genuine physical condition that is affecting your health, happiness and relationships - and your performance at work.

2 IDENTIFY the stressors. Once you have acknowledged the stress the immediate next step is to identify just what is the greatest factor that causes you stress. This is about being honest, and doing some self monitoring. Don't judge, just observe your own physical and emotional reactions throughout the day and write them down. It's a log that will help you see exactly what stresses you, for example if you get irritable or a headache after a meeting with your boss then that is an obvious stressor - but what exactly is it that does the damage. Does your boss have unrealistic expectations of your workload? Do they fail to acknowledge the good work you do or are they always criticising you? Knowledge is power, and you need to know where to apply it.

3 ACT on the information you now have. Understanding is the booby prize in stress management. The real prize is in understanding and taking action. There are so many options available to you to handle your stress and taking even the smallest action will begin the process of handling and reducing it.

Just those three actions will make all the difference between being at the effect of your stress, or being in control of it

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AnnA is the author of 'How To Handle Stress' and is an inspirational writer and speaker on health, personal development and creativity. For more information visit http://www.sortingstressout.com and for free email newsletters,creative resources and archives then visit her main website at http://www.catalystonline.co.uk/
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By: PJ Prins

The lifestyle of the average person has changed dramatically over the last two decades. For most people, there is no such thing as a "leading a simple life", just having a decent job and supporting a family.

Thanks to the ever changing economic climate, the pressure on the average household has been gradually increasing. As these pressures increase, it has a ripple effect: It starts affecting all areas of your life. Unfortunately, it also affects your employer, who now expects more from you in order to make his ends meet. This means more pressure, and with everybody in the workplace being under pressure, it causes stress.

The effects of this can be quite dramatic. Besides the "normal" symptoms such as moodiness, insomnia, fatigue, etc., it has been linked (through research) to a number of different diseases and conditions. Stress in itself can cause various malfunctions inside your body, some of which can be complex, and costly. Stress wears the body down. Given any period of time, your immune system will become run down, causing you to be more susceptible to illness. When this happens, you will be extremely vulnerable, since it can have a direct impact on your income.

The fact that you are stressed also has a negative effect on your working performance. Being constantly tired and not getting enough sleep, your body and mind will simply not be operating at peak capacity, which in turn has the boss up in arms, adding more stress. It becomes a vicious circle, and it can destroy you emotionally unless you do something about it. Even if you learn to live with it, it will still affect those around you.

There are many different schools of thought regarding stress management. Some advocate physical exercise, some advocate meditation, and others simply advocate a change in attitude. Whichever way you choose is up to you, but at least make a choice. If you continue to run your body down, what will be left of it by the time you retire?

You may already have done more damage to your body than you realize. Take control of your life, and regain the quality of your life.***

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For more information on stress and how to deal with it, visit us today on our website on Stress Management. Should you want to consider a career change, you may want to visit our website on Career Tips and Advice.
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