Stress Sufferers May Need a Helping Hand
By Linda Warner
Printed in the Effingham Daily News, December 7, 2001
Tis the season to be jolly, but is it? The holidays often bring an increased level of stress. The causes of stress could be countless–having enough money, getting your shopping done, spending more time than usual with family, or possibly experiencing the holidays without a loved one for the first time. The holidays of 2001 may be more difficult than normal because of the happenings of September 11, the subsequent "War on Terrorism," anthrax cases, and fears of more acts of terrorism in the United States.
According to James B Maas, professor at Cornell University and author of Power Sleep, "If you have had disturbed sleep because of the events of Sept. 11, it's probably because you haven't been able to resolve your anxiety and the nation's nightmare has become your personal nightmare as well." How can you or a loved one get through these difficult times?
Social people and those who work or volunteer around others usually have the opportunity to talk out their worries and concerns. However, those folks who don't have neighbors or family close by often go days or longer without talking to someone on the phone. It may be longer before they have personal contact. This coupled with the vivid media accounts of the events going on in the world can cause an increase in anxiety. People with anxiety need to talk with friends, a member of the clergy, or a professional counselor to help with their feelings.
Anxiety is a state of distress or uneasiness caused by the fear of danger or misfortune. Anxiety can become so severe that it affects one's daily functioning and enjoyment of life. Some common symptoms are muscle tension, fear of losing control, poor concentration, and difficulty with sleep.
To help with sleep problems, practice the following "good sleep habits" as recommended by Dr. Maas. Go to bed and wake up at regular hours seven days a week. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco at all times until you get back into your regular sleep/wake cycle. Avoid all naps. Exercise during the day, but not within three hours of bedtime. Try to relax by using relaxation techniques. Stay out of bed until you are very tired. Make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. If the sleep disturbance persists and you are continually tired during the day see your doctor.
Stress is physical, mental or emotional tension. Some common symptoms of stress are nervousness, emotional and physical fatigue, withdrawal from others, and restlessness. Cumulative or chronic stress has four stages: warning phase, mild symptom phase, entrenched stress reactions, and disabling stress reactions. To manage the stress in your life you must look within to find the cause.
Here are some tips for managing stress. Learn relaxation techniques that work for you (deep breathing, taking a warm bath or shower, listening to some favorite music). Organize and set priorities (make a "to do" list, avoid trying to be perfect), spend time alone (write letters or a journal, read), exercise, identify your sources of emotional support and call on them, and realize the things you cannot change.
Research is trying to prove what many have known for some time -- that laughter may well be the best medicine. A small corner in the front of the brain above the right eye is now being called the brain's funny bone. It receives the "line of the joke" and signals the person to laugh. If you're too busy to laugh, you're too busy. Even in this somber time in our nation you can find yourself being too serious. That's the time to get around the people in your life who bring out your laughter, read some favorite comic strips, rent a comedy video, or try to find some humor in the little things of life. Linda Richman in her book on dealing with loss, I'd Rather Laugh: How to be Happy Even When Life has Other Plans for You , says "I learned that we can withstand a lot of pain and loss; not just survive it, but rise above it. No matter how sad you are today, happiness and laughter, even joy are distinct possibilities for tomorrow, or if not tomorrow, then the day after that."
Everyone experiences stress everyday; however, some handle stressful situations better than others. If stress continues to build it can reach the disabling stage. Symptoms of this stage include, but are not limited to, poor self-esteem, over reactions to simple events, decrease in job performance, carelessness, severe depression, and uncontrollable emotions. When stress reaches this level it's important to seek the help of a professional for assistance in managing it.
The ultimate goal is to help others so they don't encounter the disabling stage of stress. This holiday season remember those friends, neighbors and loved ones who don't get out much to interact with others. Are they in that situation because they absolutely don't want to communicate with others? Maybe they would really like some genuine company –why not make an early New Year's resolution to visit them? Start today.
This article is based on topics decided on by the Effingham County MHASI Team sponsored by the Senior Outreach Program at Heartland Human Services. The program focuses on those people 60 and over as well as their families or caregivers. If you would like more information contact Linda Warner at (217) 347-7179.