Everyday life can be stressful as a modern, working woman, mother or both. Juggling everything that we need to get done each day, from family life to errands to work deadlines can make us feel under pressure which can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. We start to feel our minds racing, we feel overwhelmed and before we know it, our productivity begins to decline and we feel frustrated both at work and at home.
What Are the Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety?
Sometimes, we might be so busy that we don’t even stop to think about how we’re feeling, and we might not recognise the signs and symptoms of a major consequence of 21st century – stress and anxiety. Both conditions have similar symptoms that can affect the way we feel emotionally and how we behave, as well as physical symptoms.
If you’re experiencing some or all of the following emotional difficulties, then you might be experiencing anxiety or stress:
- Feeing worried, restless, on edge or agitated
- Having a sense of dread or irrational fears
- Feeling irritable and snappy
- Feeling detached from reality
- Difficulty sleeping and feeling tired and lethargic as a result
- Finding it hard to concentrate and focus
- Experiencing panic attacks
- Finding it difficult to enjoy the things you used to and avoiding social situations
- Experiencing a low mood or depression
Some of the physical signs of stress and anxiety include:
- Headaches
- Aches and pains elsewhere such as the back, caused by tense muscles
- Sweating
- Feeling dizzy or light headed
- A faster heartbeat and breathing rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Being unable to sit still
- Stomach upsets
- Low libido
Stress and anxiety don’t always go hand in hand, but the signs and symptoms can be similar. If you’re experiencing symptoms that are causing you or those around you concern, then it can be helpful if you can confide in someone or can talk to a medical professional.
Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
There are some natural ways to help manage these feelings and these include:
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol, as these can make anxiety more pronounced
- Eating a healthy diet rich in fresh produce and wholegrains can help to look after your overall health, reducing the potential for energy-sapping illnesses
- Regular exercise releases feel-good, happy hormones that can ease feelings of tenseness and worry
- Practicing mindfulness and yoga helps to refocus the mind and bring you into the present which can help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety relating to events in the past and the future
- Make a point of disconnecting from your digital devices in the evening to help promote restful sleep
It can be hard to make time to spend on ourselves, but self-care is just as important, if not more, as spending time on our work, relationships, children and other loved ones. That’s why it can be helpful to partake in courses that help us deal with anxiety, calm a racing mind and enjoy a peaceful and balanced life.
Vitacodis is currently offering 15 days of free access to their expert-run courses including their Women’s Calm Mind for Wellbeing course with Cara de Lange. The calmness you desire and deserve is within reach, you just need the simple tools to find it.
In less than an hour and a half, you will learn how to recognise your triggers, make peace with negative, intrusive thoughts, quiet your inner critic and the power of a digital detox. It will help you build resilience and will teach you the tools for a positive, productive day followed by deep, restful, restorative sleep.
