We’ve all been there before; Whether you’ve taken on too much at work or you’re going through family issues, the feeling of stress can be overwhelming.
Between the emotional symptoms of frustration and agitation to the physical feeling of your chest being tight and heavy, you may find yourself unable to think about anything but the situation causing you stress.
In order to alleviate stress, it’s crucial to know what the different types of tensions are, in order to ensure you can properly manage your stress levels.
If you’re not sure what the different types of stress are, or how to manage them, be sure to keep reading to help you remove some of the weight of the world from your shoulders.
Types of Stress
Though all stress feels similar, there are significant differences in the kinds of stress. These differences are typically based on frequency, triggers, and characteristics.
Acute
Acute stress is one of the most common types that people will experience. This type is typically short in duration, usually only lasting the length of the event, project, or situation causing you stress.
You may find yourself stressing about a deadline at work, feeling overwhelmed, and trying to juggle responsibilities, only to experience immediate relief once the project is complete or the situation has passed.
Chronic
Chronic stress occurs when there are major, life-changing events occurring for months at a time. Whether this is stress caused by chronic health issues or an unhappy familial relationship, this is like a dark cloud.
This can feel like a looming, continuous weight on your shoulders, though it may not always be at the forefront of your thoughts.
Chronic stress can have effects on your health, both physical and mental. Not only can it lead to depression and mood disorders, but it can also cause cardiovascular issues.
Episodic
Episode stress is a series of acute episodes. They may not always correlate to each other, but they can be caused by the same, repeated stresses.
For example, a high-stress environment can lead to episodic stress caused by high demands, and can leave you feeling like your life is dictated by chaos. You may also feel like you are never truly relaxed.
These episodes are usually high stress and dictate much of your life. You may find yourself constantly feeling overwhelmed and living in crisis.
Anxiety
While anxiety isn’t exactly “stress,” it is your body’s way of handling stressful situations. Many who struggle with anxiety know that stress can be a significant trigger for this illness.
Anxiety is the prolonged feeling of stress, even when there isn’t a trigger. You typically need a professional diagnosis to help you navigate this illness.
How to Alleviate Stress
Just as there are different types of stress, there are various ways you can alleviate the feelings. While everyone will experience stress, learning how to manage and cope with symptoms can make a significant change.
Don’t Take On Too Much
If you’re a people pleaser, you may find yourself saying “yes” to everything that comes your way. This not only gives you more to accomplish, but you may find yourself struggling to handle everything at once.
Whether it’s more responsibilities at work, agreeing to play in a rec league with your buddies, or agreeing to host a holiday, it’s crucial to learn how to say no.
You will also want to begin delegating your tasks. Though you may not want to burden others by asking for help, allowing trusted people to assist you whether you need aid completing a task or hosting a party can reduce your stress.
Exercise
Another great way to manage stress and place an emphasis on your health and wellbeing is to exercise.
Not only is exercise one of the most commonly recommended tips to reduce cardiovascular issues associated with stress, but it also gives you the opportunity to focus on yourself.
Whether you put your headphones in and ignore the world with loud music and heavy weights or practice mindfulness through yoga, exercising is one of the most effective ways of dealing with stress.
Seek Counseling
If you find yourself struggling to find effective ways to cope with stressors, you may want to seek professional help. Whether you visit a therapist, counseling, or a support group, letting someone assist can make a difference.
Though it can be intimidating to start, the benefits are undeniable. Not only does it give you the chance to focus on yourself, but the expert can give you tips to help manage stress in the moment.
Stay Organized
Finally, staying organized and on top of deadlines is one of the most effective means of reducing stress.
You can use a physical or digital planner to help keep your mind free from trying to remember important dates and invest in organizational storage for your home or office in order to keep your crucial files and papers safe.
Another great way to alleviate stress and anxiety is to break up your tasks into smaller, more manageable duties. Rather than take a whole day to tackle a work project, break up sections to complete throughout the week.
Kick Stress to the Curb
Not only is stress exhausting to deal with, but when it’s left untreated, you run the risk of suffering from life-long health issues.
Learning how to cope with stress can not only reduce the tension you suffer from and positively impact your mental health, but it can make a change in the other areas of your life!
Did you find this guide to the different types of stress informative? If so, you’ll want to head over to the rest of our website for more helpful health and wellness content to help you manage stress and increase your overall health.