Stress has been labelled as the biggest cause of sickness and ill health in this country, but the good news is it can be managed. Whilst some stress is normal, in fact it is essential for survival, excess stress can deeply affect our lives and be the cause of many mental and physical issues such as depression, anxiety and IBS. We all handle stress differently, and it is worth noticing when your levels are seeming to become excessive, or are affecting your everyday life. Excess stress can deeply affect our lives, and wellbeing. Some symptoms to look out for include; low energy, constantly tearful, eating issues (over eating or food avoidance), headaches, unusual aches and pains, stomach issues such as vomiting, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, easily frustrated, moody, feeling overwhelmed and out of control, feeling depressed, isolating yourself, constant worrying, nervousness, loss of sexual desire, inability to focus, shaky, forgetfulness and disorganisation, racing thoughts, making poor judgements, nervousness, constant negativity, low self esteem, and more….

We often manage stress incorrectly, such as with anger. Anger can arise when we misinterpret a situation, and when we react to certain triggering, or seemingly out of our control, situations. Whilst we all have our own triggers, common triggers which can often result in anger can include, when we feel threatened or attacked, or when we feel powerless or incompetent, and when dealing with frustration.

Whilst we cannot always control our situation, and other peoples actions, we can control our reactions to it. A wide number of strategies and techniques can be used to effectively manager excess anger and stress, with a purpose of improving our everyday functioning, and subsequently, our lives. Learning how to better manage stress or anger issues can greatly improve our minds, our sense of self worth, our relationships, and our view of the world as a whole.

It is always advisable to discuss any physical or emotional issues with your GP.