In times of stress and uncertainty people react in different ways. Some symptom reactions include:
Difficulty sleeping Stomach upset
Appetite changes Muscle tension
Feeling nervous or unsettled Headaches
Sadness, Anger, and/or Irritability Fatigue
While many times you cannot control the events that cause you stress, you can control how you cope with stress. Some suggestions are:
* Take time to relax. Learn relaxation response
techniques.
* Accept support and talk to trusted people.
* Tell yourself you are experiencing normal reactions to abnormal situations.
* Do not make big life changes during extreme stress.
* Eat well-balanced regular meals.
* Exercise to help relieve stress.
If symptoms of stress persist or intensify, you may need assistance to help you learn ways to reduce stress symptoms and learn coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques.
A cognitive/behavioral approach to treatment provides patients with the opportunity to learn advanced relaxation techniques to reduce physical stress symptoms.
