How You Can Deal With Illness Related Stress
By Mark J Emslie
Being sick can be stressful, particularly when the illness is serious. This can have the effect of making the sickness even worse. If left alone then it may have fatal consequences; it is therefore vital to deal with it quickly even though this may be difficult given its complex nature. In this article will examine the four factors related to addressing illness related stress; the illness, the need for a change of lifestyle, money considerations, and the support of the social network.
The Stress and Illness
The body responds strongly to illness, and especially serious illness, by triggering the stress response. With your body addressing the threat in this way, it is in fact responding in a negative and inefficient way to the problem. The bodily chemicals associated with the stress response reduce the body’s ability to ward off illness, meaning that digestion and the related conversion of food for energy release is inhibited. The stress response is working against your interests rather than for them.
Exercise and healthy diet are essential when illness strikes even though it may be somewhat harder to follow at that time. And so eating well and exercising are of top priority during times of sickness. Specific counselling and the support of friends can be important in managing illness related stress.
Changing Your Lifestyle
For some, then Prayer may be helpful in managing illness related stress and adapting to a new lifestyle. A Counsellor may help those people for whom control issues are a particular consideration. You must think carefully about what suits you and your body, listen to what people say to you, but let your body be your guide.
Financial Considerations
In some parts of the world then sickness can be very costly. Sometimes lost income will result, made worse by the need for costly medical care whether or not the time of sickness and related treatment is covered by medical insurance. This is another source of stress with few places to turn for help. Perhaps a social worker may be able to assist in identifying sources of financial assistance.
Don’t turn away family and friends if they offer you help in this way - they mean it kindly and you should graciously accept that help.
Your Social Support Network
You must then allow people to help you, whether they are related to your church, family, or good friends. Accepting this help will not only relieve you of immediate concerns over money, or just practical considerations such as picking the children up from school, but also serve to remind you of the love and care to be shown by your fellow beings. This alone is enough to relieve some of the stress.
If you need more information or additional resources concerning what may cause stress and what can be done about it, please visit http://www.WhatsStress.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_J_Emslie
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