How do you handle your chronic stress? How to avoid 'Battle Fatigue'!

There is so much stress in life today! Being a caretaker of someone who is suffering from a treated severe brain disorder and especially those who go untreated or are treatment resistant, have additional stress from all the trauma and drama the illness can bring. What do you do to handle that chronic stress? Studies show that good coping skills help to reduce the negative effects stress can have on our bodies. The American Psychological Association's website posted 'How stress affects your health'. It states: "...Chronic stress When stress starts interfering with your ability to live a normal life for an extended period, it becomes even more dangerous. The longer the stress lasts, the worse it is for both your mind and body. You might feel fatigued, unable to concentrate or irritable for no good reason, for example. But chronic stress causes wear and tear on your body, too. Stress can make existing problems worse.2 In one study, for example, about half the participants saw improvements in chronic headaches after learning how to stop the stress-producing habit of “catastrophizing,” or constantly thinking negative thoughts about their pain.3 Chronic stress may also cause disease, either because of changes in your body or the overeating, smoking and other bad habits people use to cope with stress. Job strain — high demands coupled with low decision-making latitude —..." The article also lists some ways to cope with chronic stress. Read the full article: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspx Here are a couple of other links that may help you think of a new way to try to reduce the effects of the chronic stress in your life! Remember to take care of yourself and stay healthy! http://psychcentral.com/stress http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/stress-eat-skippers-munchers-eating-patterns_n_4183038.html?utm_hp_ref=tw