Stress is something we’re all aware of, but most of don’t really understand that well.
What exactly causes stress? Does it vary from person to person? What does it feel like, and is it only an emotional and mental issue, or does it affect the physical body too?
It’s all three, and yes, it can give you physical pain!
When you’re feeling stressed sat at your office desks, it’s quite likely that you’ll tense up your muscles in reaction to whatever stressor you’re facing. As a result, you notice aches and pains developing, maybe you’re clenching your jaw, and you might even notice a headache coming on.
This is stress affecting your physical body and causing you discomfort.
Check out this infographic which outlines some of the very real physical issues which stress can cause.
Source - http://painmanagementtrends.com/physical-effects-of-stress-infographic/
It’s not unheard of for someone to develop neck, shoulder and back pain purely as a result of stress. Holding your body in a tense position puts stress on the joints and ligaments, causing them to feel sore and uncomfortable. This is likely to be an effect which follows you home too, causing you to feel achy when you’re watching TV at night or even when you go to bed. Of course, this may then compound in a poor night’s sleep, which makes the next day at work in your mesh office chair ten times harder as a result.
Stress is a huge vicious circle which needs to be broken via a range of different stress management techniques. One size doesn’t fit all and it might be that you need to try a few to find the one which works best for you - but, there will be one, so don’t panic!
A few good options to try are:
- Meditation and mindfulness - These both help you achieve states of deep relaxation and also put everything in perspective. It can be hard to live in the moment when you’re working hard, but it will help you conquer your stress in a big way.
- Exercise and heathy eating - Focusing on the basics has huge benefits. Exercise is one of the best ways to battle stress. So on your break times, get up from your office seating and head off for a brisk walk around the block! Cut out the unhealthy food from your diet and focus on nourishment instead. All of this will help you feel better on the inside, and exercise will also distract your mind from whatever is causing the stress. Yoga is a great option to try.
- Talk it out - Another fantastic way to banish stress is to talk about whatever is bothering you and try to get to the bottom of the issue. Sit in one of the booths and talk to a colleague and you’ll feel better, for sure. If the problem isn’t improving, talk to your manger and seek help and advice. By tackling the problem, by not bottling it up inside, you’ll notice a huge difference in the way you feel and the stress levels you experience.
- Get plenty of sleep - Sleep deprivation is one of the fastest ways to experience stress in general. Make sure that you get enough high quality sleep every night; everyone is different in terms of how much sleep they need, but between 7-8 hours for an adult is the average amount. Change your bedtime routine to ensure that you are relaxed enough to nod off quickly and effectively, and avoid anything too stimulating before bed - no social media, no loud action films or rowdy music!
Focusing on ways to reduce stress will also help you to reduce the physical signs that it may be inducing within your body. Stress isn’t simply a feeling or an emotion, it can be felt in the tension within your body, the headaches you’re experiencing, the upset stomach you can’t seem to shake, and the poor sleep pattern you’re noticing too.