News You Can Use

A life-lesson about stress: Learn not to sweat the small stuff

University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Dustin Barnes
Feb. 23, 2004

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Work got you down? Feeling a little overwhelmed at home? If life seems to be getting to you, the cause may be the common, but destructive, ailment—stress.

A counseling professional at Mississippi State says stress makes people more irritable, more likely to lose concentration or zone out, and more accident prone. And that’s just for starters, says Linda M. Cox, director of the university’s Counseling and Testing Services Center.

“In addition to the emotional effects, stress may cause fatigue, disturbances in normal sleeping and eating patterns, muscle pains and gastrointestinal problems,” she explains. “When you carry a lot of stress around, your body tends to protest.”

A major factor in stress levels is over-programming, especially for youngsters. Cox says allowing children to become too involved in too many activities can be bad for both the youngsters and their parents. “Frankly it’s disastrous for the entire family,” she adds.

Conflicting societal, personal and professional demands are some other sources of the problem. While some stress is inevitable, Cox suggests a few ways to help reduce the levels:

—Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol.

—Exercise regularly, eat the right foods and get a proper amount of sleep.

—Develop a social support system; be around those who allow you to “be yourself.”

—Be assertive and don’t be afraid to discuss a small problem before it becomes larger.

—Despite personal difficulties, work to maintain a stable perspective on your life and a sense of humor.

—Set aside time solely for yourself and then do only those things you feel like doing.

—Practice time management and the ability to say ‘no’ to some demands on your time.

—Learn meditation or relaxation exercises.

Should stress levels or the feeling that life is out of control continue for a long period, Cox recommends seeking professional advice.