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Top five ways to manage stress

Concordia Health Services professional Gabriella Szabo provides methods to deal with daily strain at Backpack to Briefcase event
March 18, 2014
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By James Gibbons

Our ancient forbearers were physically wired to increase their chances of survival from predators.

Health promotion specialist Gabriella Szabo speaks at Backpack to Briefcase event | Photo credit: Concordia University

At a Concordia Backpack to Briefcase event on March 4, Gabriella Szabo, a specialist at the university’s Health Services, discussed ways to manage the body’s stress-inducing “fight or flight” response in today’s jungle.

“The body releases adrenaline and cortisol when we feel threatened. These hormones can be detrimental to individual wellbeing,” said Szabo at the event, organized by Advancement and Alumni Relations, and sponsored by the Concordia University Alumni Association.

“Stress is linked to 13 of the top 15 causes of death in humans,” said Szabo.

“The key to stress management is to strike a balance between demands we have in our lives and the resources at our disposal.”

James Gibbons, Advancement and Alumni Relations’ reporter on scene | Photo credit: Concordia University

This five-step strategy can help promote better health:

1. Identify if stress is your problem: Trouble sleeping, muscle pain, headaches and decreased cognitive abilities could be symptoms of stress. “A medical professional can help determine if stress is behind your physical discomfort or change in attitude,” said Szabo.

2. Find the cause: “It could be that there has been a recent change in your life, this often causes stress,” said Szabo. “Try to pinpoint when the symptoms started and work from there.”

3. Address why it occurs: “It could be that you’ve mismanaged your resources, and this is the cause of your stress,” said Szabo. “For example, time is a resource; perhaps you haven’t budgeted your time well.”

4. Pick a method to fight stress: “Strategies usually address the symptoms or the causes of stress,” said Szabo. To treat symptoms, physical activity and breathing exercises, among others, can be useful.

Another approach is to tackle the root of the problem. If deadlines are the cause of stress, time management could be the solution.

“It’s important to think critically about decisions that will result in less stress,” said Szabo. “Before you make a commitment, think of whether or not you have the resources to follow through.”

5. Evaluate: Hopefully the method has worked and the stress is under control.

If symptoms persist, however, Concordia Health Services have professionals who can offer further advice.  

Watch a recommended breathing exercise:

 

Learn more about Concordia’s Health Services, or book an appointment at: concordia.ca/students/health

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