How to overcome stress and depression

Stress is defined as a person's response to their environment. Symptoms of stress include exhaustion, loss of or increased appetite, headaches, crying, sleeplessness, and oversleeping. Feelings of alarm, frustration, or apathy may accompany stress. Working adults often face work-related stress. What is even more alarming is that more and more children are also suffering from stress. Some say that a little stress is good for you because it pushes you to react and achieve your goals. On the other hand, when stress is prolonged, it causes physical and emotional problems that may damage both your health and your performance. Thus, it is important for us to learn how to handle our stress. There are many ways in which we can reduce stress in our lives. Firstly, get up fifteen minutes earlier each morning. That gives you a little more time to eat something, run back to get something you may have forgotten, or enjoy a cup of coffee before heading out the door. If you drive to work, a 15- or 20-minute head start may mean facing less traffic, thus making the journey less stressful. The next thing we can do to reduce stress is to confide in someone we trust. Don't keep things bottled up. Talking with someone helps you put things in better perspective. Who knows? They may even have solutions to your problems. Do not be afraid to seek professional help if you feel you have reached a breaking point. Finally, learn to set your priorities right and not over commit yourself. People who are overly committed tend to feel overwhelmed and suffer. Reduce the number of events going on in your life, and you may reduce the circuit overload. Set realistic goals for yourself and put them in writing. Do not worry over the small stuff, but reward yourself when you have been successful in achieving even some small goals. Stress is part of being human, and it can help motivate you to get things done. Even high stress from serious illness, job loss, a death in the family, or a painful life event can be a natural part of life. You may feel down or anxious, and that’s normal for a while, too. Keep a positive attitude. Accept that there are events that you cannot control. Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive. Learn to manage your time more effectively. Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life. Make time for hobbies and interests. Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress. Drugs and alcohol can stress your body even more. Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love. Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn more healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life. Stress acts as an accelerator: it will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction.