Sunday, January 07, 2007

Don't Let Stress Ruin your Life

Stress, worries, problems, and many other things have a way of taking their toll on our lives and how we feel. Many of us do not realize how all of these things strongly affect our health. What you might find interesting is that the symptoms that you can experience from stress are the following:

Excessive fatigue, Depression, Sometimes even think of hurting yourself or others, Headaches, Nausea and vomiting, Diarrhea, Chest pain or pressure, Heart racing, Dizziness or flushing, Tremulousness or restlessness, Hyperventilation or choking sensation, insomnia and high blood pressure.

The good news is that most of these are temporary but if they do continue to become severe then you most certainly need to see a doctor. The best news though is that we can help ourselves by promptly recognizing the symptoms so we can manage the stress and the attitudes we have in order to get better.

In talking with teen girls and teenagers in general, I have never heard so much talk about stress as I have lately and the worst part is that it is affecting the way our teens eat and their weight loss and gain. Teens react much in the same way adults do, they want to either eat more or eat less, they begin to sleep more or avoid sleeping at all and they become very irritable and do not want to face up to the problems they are facing in school. Most of the time we as parents are so caught up in what we are dealing with everyday that we fail to notice when our teens are going through the same things but in their own world.

The best way for all of us to handle these issues and learn to manage stress is to recognize what is happening to us and get in control of our lives and much of this can be done with simple things. One of the best ways to relieve stress is to exercise. It not only lowers your blood pressure but it also releases endorphins which is a natural pain killer for your body. Some of the other simple things are listening to music to unwind, read a book, practice deep breathing, call a friend and go out for a chat and eat lunch. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to recognize that there is a solution to every problem and circumstances change every day even every minute. Don’t give up!

What are some ways that you cope with stress? We could all use the ideas! Blog with us @ www.youthchosen4action.blogspot.com.

Next week; start this year with me by making every minute count and using everything we have.

Signed,Peppermintmocha@chosen4action.com

Choose to Make Things Better

No matter what has happened in the past, this is the time to reflect and evaluate the past year and then move on. Whatever you didn’t get done, you cannot keep worrying about it, and all you can do is make the decision to move on. We all make wrong decisions at times in our life and we make wrong choices at times but the good news is that it is never too late to correct those mistakes and choices and make it right.

As I close this year 2006 with this article and ready for 2007, I challenge you to do something that will change your life next year. Sometimes we hold on to things that are not right for us and deep down inside we know it is not the best thing for us but we are afraid to let go. Some of us can even get to the point that we keep on doing something just so we don’t have to go through change. But the good news is that on the other side of the wall of change is something new for your life and you wouldn’t want to miss it.

New things and change brings new life but the sad part is that until you let go of the old, there is no room for the new. Why not make 2007 the year that you let the old things go? One of the best ways to start that is to forgive yourself for any wrongdoings you have done and then forgive others. Remember this, forgiving others does not mean that you condone what they did; it only means that you are setting yourself free from it so you won’t miss your blessings.

Choose to make things better for yourself! Find out next week how your lifestyle affects your health.

What are you changing this year? Blog with us @ www.youthchosen4action.blogspot.com.

Signed,Peppermintmocha@chosen4action.com