Tag Archives: stress

When Do Coping Mechanisms Become Unhealthy?

08/03/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Whether it’s the pressures and stresses of trying to raise a happy healthy family, some history of mental illness, or anything else, we all have our techniques to deal with the difficult things in life. We all get affected by our past and environments, and many of us take steps, consciously or not, to cope with that stress. These are our coping mechanisms, and there are many different kinds. However, not all coping mechanisms are healthy for us, some can lead us into even more trouble. So, let’s look at some of the risks of coping mechanisms.

coping mechanisms, stress, anxiety, health, family, unhealthy — *Image – CC0 License*

Over-indulgence can be bad for our health

There are some vices that might be relatively safe in moderation, but when we start over-indulging in them, they can become a significant risk to our health. Stress eating is amongst the most common of these makeshift remedies, and it can lead to dangerous weight gain and the chronic health issues associated with that, such as heart disease, diabetes, and more. For a lot of people, smoking is that vice, and while quitting smoking is difficult, it can help you find healthier coping mechanisms. Often, these temporary, physical relievers are just that: temporary, doing little to help us in the long run.

The coping mechanism can become a problem in and of itself

There are coping mechanisms that have unhealthy impacts on our lives, but there are coping mechanisms that are, in and of themselves, inherently dangerous. This includes any form of self-medication, such as using alcohol to prescription painkillers beyond their intended us, or any other forms of illicit substances to help you deal with stress, depression, or other mental health issues. Looking at inpatient drug rehab may be essential to help you work your way out of that particular set of coping mechanisms. Other people will instead find that they are prone to indulging in fits of anger or aggression, or even self-harm. In this case, professional help is still essential, but it’s recommended that you talk to a therapist instead to help you get to the root of these practices.

Building healthier coping mechanisms

With the above examples, it may seem like coping mechanisms are inherently bad. That’s not true, however, there are ways to make healthier habits into your natural response when it comes to dealing with stress or other emotional difficulties. This can include keeping a mental health journal, meditating, using deep breathing exercises, or exercising, all of which have positive short-term and long-term mental health benefits. Of course, learning to talk about your feelings and the issues affecting you can be of a big benefit, as well. A lot of us keep our problems in our own heads, letting them stew and become a larger part of our lives when getting the perspective of another could be a bigger help than we realize.

None of us are perfect, and this includes how we deal with the imperfections of our lives. Addressing our coping mechanisms and knowing when we need help is going to play a big role in helping us manage our emotional health in the long run.

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle

Always Tired, But Getting Enough Sleep?

07/09/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

sleep, health, tired, coffee, wake, energy — Pexels. CCO Licensed.

Feeling exhausted? There are some obvious reasons as to why you may be feeling this way such as not getting enough sleep or doing lots of physical activity. But what if you’ve been sleeping enough hours and not been doing too much physical activity? Why do you feel so tired all the time? This post explores some of the possible reasons as to why you may be suffering from fatigue.

Chronic stress

Stress can wear the body and mind down, making us feel exhausted. The stress hormone, cortisol, prepares our body for fight or flight situations – it makes our mind more alert, our muscles more tense and our blood pressure faster. You can prevent stress from wearing you down by finding a way to relieve this stress. This could be through exercise, laughter, listening to music, taking a hot bath or meditating.

Too much processed sugar/caffeine

Both sugar and caffeine provide us with an energy boost. However, this energy boost is followed by a comedown, which can make us feel twice as tired as we did before. Eating some candy or downing a coffee may perk you up momentarily, but could make you feel worse after. You’re much better off downing a glass of water or eating fruit, which will provide a more gradual release of energy without the comedown.

Eye strain

Staring at a bright screen all day can give many people eye strain – which can result in sore eyes, a headache and increased feelings of tiredness. Periodically taking a break from bright screens can prevent this. Taking measures to reduce UV light from the screen can also make a difference – this could include wearing UV glasses or using software/apps that reduce the UV light.

Deficiencies

You may feel exhausted if you have low levels of iron, vitamin D or vitamin B-12. Low testosterone can also lead to exhaustion as detailed here at Men’s Revival. It could be worth seeing a medical professional to diagnose if this is the problem – medication or treatment could be what you need to return your energy levels to normal.

Medical disorders

Certain medical disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disorder can cause increased tiredness. If you can’t seem to find another cause, it could be worth seeing a doctor to see if you may be suffering from one of these disorders. There will usually be other symptoms other than tiredness that can help a doctor to diagnose your problem.

Poor sleep quality

You may be sleeping enough hours, but are you getting a good sleep quality? If you constantly wake up in the night or have a lot of dreams, you may not be getting into a deep sleep. There are lots of possible causes for poor sleep quality. You may have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea – if you tend to snore or gasp in the night and you sometimes wake up with a headache, this could be the problem. It’s also possible that your bed may not be comfortable, causing you to toss and turn. Too much light, too much noise or an uncomfortable room temperature could also cause poor sleep quality.

Life, Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

5 Tips for Actually Getting Anything Done if You Have Young Kids

06/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Parents face many challenges every day, especially if they have young kids. Smaller children are energetic and can get into everything at once, and this becomes frustrating for parents who have a busy day ahead. By reviewing five tips for actually getting anything done when you have young kids, parents get advice about these daily struggles.

1. Take Advantage of Shared Workspace Opportunities

Shared workspaces give parents plenty of room and services they need to complete everyday work tasks. If they work from home, a shared office space gives them an office, business services, and maybe even daycare while they work.

They use an office in the building and even have access to conference rooms as needed. The worker pays a monthly fee for access to the shared workspace and all its great services. Parents who work from home learn more about coworking by reviewing these opportunities now.

2. Keep Your Kids On A Consistent Sleep Schedule

Consistency is a must for kids, and parents must keep their kids on a regular sleep schedule. The parents balance their daily requirements according to when their kids go to bed and get up in the morning, and they get a little more time when the kids are taking naps. If the kids stay on a consistent schedule, the parent knows when their child will take their nap or go to bed and what time the kids will be awake and active.

3. Allow Their Involvement When Possible

Kids just want to be a part of their parent’s everyday routine and including them in everyday tasks makes the children happier and feel more loved. Parents could include their kids in cleaning tasks by giving the child a rag to pretend they are cleaning surfaces, too, without the cleaning chemicals of course. They can let their child participate in their exercise routine with them and make it a group effort to get in shape. It’s the little things that help make the day go by faster and allow parents to complete everything on their checklist without becoming frustrated.

4. Give Your Kids Interactive Toys

Interactive toys are great for kids and give them something to keep them occupied, and the toys teach them skills they will need to know when they start school. Toys that are similar to their parent’s work tools are fun for kids. For example, learning toys that are designed like laptops allow the child to prevent they are working just like Mom or Dad, and the parents have a chance to complete all their to-do items while their kids are young.

5. Break Projects Into Small Steps

A better plan for projects helps parents break them down into easily achievable steps, and they can complete each step at their own pace. When parents have younger children, they must plan their day around their child’s needs, too. They won’t be able to complete all work tasks at once, but if they break them into steps, they complete these tasks around their parenting responsibilities.

Parents have great responsibilities each day from their children to daily cleaning or work tasks. If they work from home, they will need vital services and maybe even a helping hand to complete their work each day. Shared workspaces could provide them with the services they need to complete all their checklist items.