Unfortunately, there are times we all experience stress, particularly in times of crisis. Dealing with stress in your 40s can be even more challenging. Many of the top ten stressors can affect just about anyone in unexpected ways.
The top ten stressors include: divorce, death in the family, illness, getting married, unemployment, retirement, new baby, change in financial status, career change and moving. Dealing with stress in your 40’s usually means you have experienced some or all of these life issues.
When we experience stress regularly, the effects can have negative consequences on our health. Many research studies have found a strong connection between stress for women over 40 and physical illness including: colds, bowel problems, headaches, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Stress doesn’t just crop up overnight. The causes may not be apparent at first, but they may have been there for some time. If this applies to you, don’t ignore the signs of stress in your life anymore. Recognizing them is the first step to discovering the source.
Feeling cranky and tired is not always the fault of your menstrual cycle. These feelings can be the result of too much stress in your life. Not being able to fall asleep is a sign of stress as well. When it takes an hour or so to fall asleep, it’s time to look for a root cause.
Stress can cause troubles throughout the systems of the body. The digestive system can experience ulcers, bowel trouble, and lack of appetite. You can have an overactive bladder. Migraine headaches and colds result from negative stress. Stress literally makes you sick if it is not dealt with.
Dealing with Stress in your 40s – Some Common Causes
Start with your job. Are there pressures at work? Getting passed over for a promotion can make you resentful which can cause stress. Every time you walk into the office your stomach will be in knots when you think about it. Something as normal as asking for a raise can cause stress. You’ll worry about the outcome — whether you will get the raise or get fired for asking.
Work pressures don’t always stay at work. We tend to carry out unhappiness or frustrations home to our families. We keep an attitude all evening long because of something that started in the workplace.
Family situations can also be the root source of our stress. Kids can take us through a lot of stages, especially when they are toddlers, entering puberty, or becoming teenagers. Worrying about them when they are away from us takes plenty of energy.
Marital problems can lead to stress. When our spouses won’t help lighten the load at home, we feel taken for granted and resentful. Lack of communication on the part of both parties leaves hurt feelings unexpressed. Both partners feel cheated, and coming home creates stress.
There are triggers that can cause stress. Some of these triggers come from experiences in life. Having a spouse that drinks excessively can trigger memories of a father in childhood who did the same. Worrying about the similarities in the situations can cause stress. Illness in children can remind you of a bad childhood experience and cause fretting over the kids.
Once you understand what is causing the stress, it is time to fix it. Before involving members of the family, try to deal with what is stressing you out. Talk to a friend to discover why the trigger gets you so wound up.
Next you can enlist the aid of your family. They may not realize that what they are doing or not doing is affecting you. A little communication can change the situation. This can work on the job as well. Talk to you boss and let them know your feelings in a non-threatening manner.
Stress is a part of life, dealing with stress in your 40s is a reality. To overcome it, it is important to know what is causing it. Take a look at all areas of your life to find a solution.
Dealing with Stress in your 40s – The Good, the Bad and The Ugly
Normally, there are simple ways to combat stress such as taking a long walk, enjoying a warm bath, or listening to favorite music. But when you find yourself in a serious crisis, it is much more challenging to get rid of stress and professional help may be needed.
It is estimated that 90% of all doctor visits are related to symptoms of stress. In addition, stress is also linked to depression. Depression may also lead to insomnia, or sleeplessness, and when we are experiencing sleeplessness, the lack of rest for our bodies can take a toll on our immune system, hence poor health kicks in.
Lack of sleep can also affect our job performance and our ability to be good parents, or caregivers, so very often, medication may be prescribed by a doctor.
When stress get out of hand and begins to damage our health, we need to slow down and take a look at the bigger picture. One thing we need to remember is that medication can only take care of the symptoms of stress, but won’t get rid of the causes of our stress, or even really help us to cope with the sources of stress. There are ways to Deal with Anxiety Naturally.
Since medication for stress is usually a last resort solution, it is also wise to explore natural and herbal remedies available at most health food stores.
Jennifer Urezzio, founder of Blooming Grove Herbal Remedies in New Jersey, suggests using lavendar oil rubbed on the soles of the feet to help relax the body and promote sleep.
This remedy is not expensive and easily available, so it might be a good alternative to help fight off stress, increase sleep and stay healthy!
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