Search Results for: blog evaluating your stress level

Saying No Can Be Good for Your Health (and Sanity)

I hate saying no. It makes me feel bad. It makes me feel guilty. It makes me feel like I’m letting someone down. To the recipient of the no, it’s probably not that big a deal. They find someone else to ask, and maybe that someone else says yes. Or they find out that they didn’t really need help after all, and get it done without help. My schedule is getting a little crazy this week. I’ve had plans for this Friday for a few weeks now, but suddenly I’ve been asked for my time on Thursday and Saturday, too. … Continue reading →

Listening to Your Body (and Interpreting the Message)

Two out of the last three days, I was attacked by a ninja. A ninja nap. It snuck up on me after my usual post-work routine: walk the dogs, feed the dogs, feed myself. I found my limbs sluggish and my eyes heavy, so I gave into the ninja nap. Three hours later, I woke up. (Both times.) Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes a nap catches me off-guard. I’ve got things planned, work to do… but I find myself sinking down into sleep instead. It can throw off my whole schedule for the rest of the day, but sometimes … Continue reading →

Worrying About Losing Your Job is Bad For Your Health

Are you worried about losing your job? You’re certainly not alone. But a new study says that worrying about losing your job can be worse for your health than being unemployed. Researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of California, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development took a look at data from some long-term studies on American workers. The two studies — one done during the 1980s and one during the 1990s — interviewed workers about physical and mental health. People who were persistently worried about losing their jobs reported … Continue reading →

Moms-to-Be: Work Stress Can Be Harmful to Your Baby

A Dutch study published in the American Journal of Public Health took a look at work stress in the first trimester of pregnancy — and the impact it can have on an unborn child. More than eight thousand pregnant women participated in a survey focused on employment and working conditions — they were asked about the number of hours worked per week and their stress levels (among other things). More that seven thousand women continued in the study, and were in contact with researchers again after giving birth to report the weight of the newborns. The results? Women who worked … Continue reading →

Stress and Anxiety Dreams

The brain is a wonderful, funny organ. It does so much for our bodies without any conscious effort! But sometimes, I wish it would find a different way to handle stress. When I’m really stressed, my dreams can get really weird. I have a few recurring dreams that pop up when the pressure’s on. The school dream. Usually, it’s the end of my senior year of high school and I realize that I’ve been skipping out on one class for the whole year. Maybe I’m scrambling to finish an extra credit project; maybe I’m so worried about other classes that … Continue reading →

Smashing Stress

I often joke that when I’m stressed, I need a doghouse to smash. A friend of mine had an old, abandoned doghouse in her yard and decided one day it was time to get rid of the unsightly thing. With her trusty sledgehammer at her side, she took it apart. When she was done, she told me how great it felt to smash the thing. There’s something very cathartic about physical exercise… and destruction. After a particularly bad breakup a few years ago, some friends invited me to help remodel their kitchen. I had a grand old time prying tiles … Continue reading →

Ways to Avoid Stress: Lifestyle Changes

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Making changes to your lifestyle can help lower your stress level. Starting with basic good health is a good idea. If your body is in good condition to begin with, it may be able to cope with stress better — or in a more healthy way. Eat a balanced diet — fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to fight stress and other health issues. Get moderate exercise at least three times per week — the more the better. Get enough sleep — your body recovers from the day’s stress while you sleep. Balance work, family needs, personal needs, … Continue reading →

Ways to Avoid Stress: Time Management

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Some stresses are unavoidable; others can be reduced or avoided entirely! Here are some tips to help manage and/or avoid stress. Good time management can be a great way to avoid stress — you’ll get more time with family and friends, increase work performance and productivity, and have free time to relax and do the things you love. Keep records of how you spend your time — look at how much time you’re spending on work, family, and other things. Prioritize your time — rate tasks by importance and urgency. Focus on the things that are most important; other things … Continue reading →

Evaluating Your Stress Level

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. Periodic stress is a normal part of life! However, stress that goes on for a long time (chronic stress) should not be a normal part of life. Every person handles stress differently. What I find stressful and what you find stressful may be two very different scenarios! Perception is a big part of how stressed you feel. One person may look at all the things you do in a day and think they would be stressed — yet you aren’t. But because stress is so very personal, it may be hard to evaluate your stress … Continue reading →

Evaluating Risks

Determining risk plays a huge role in money management. From selecting insurance, setting aside an emergency fund, to investing – you have to evaluate your personal financial risk. Usually, the more risk you take the more money you potential have, but then if your good luck runs out… risky choices can quickly ruin your finances. Ultimately you have to derive a comfortable balance. Being too risky can cost you money, but so can being too safe. The key is in finding the right balance given your unique situation. How do you do exactly that? There is no set answer that … Continue reading →