LETTER: Don’t ignore the early signs of stress

Madam – This letter is dedicated to everyone out there who struggles with stress.

For many years, I internalised my own stress and dealt with it by ignoring it. From work to the problems of friends and family, I took everyone’s stress onto myself and eventually started developing physical signs of stress.

When the headaches, and eventually migraines started, I told myself that it was not a symptom of stress. I took various medications to help me cope with headaches, and eventually had to visit a doctor because the headaches became so bad.

It was not until many years later that someone said to me that these physical signs was my body telling me I needed to slow down and find a more effective way to deal with the stress I encountered on a daily basis.

I did not realise how much my body was going through to cope with the stress I was feeding it. So I set out to try and find ways to cope with my stress in a healthy way.

I tried taking time off work, but found myself stressing about how much work would have piled up in my absence. I tried taking up physical activity, but found it did not do much to help me cope other than leaving my body tired and my energy drained.

I also tried various herbal anti-stress medication and even therapy as a last resort, but it became clear that none of it was helping.

It has become a constant battle to deal with my stress. I know I am damaging myself by not finding a method to cope, but I also know that this letter may help someone else recognise the signs of stress earlier than I did, and take precautions.

If you know someone you care about is stressing, don’t take it lightly. Stress is very real and can lead to debilitating headaches, strokes, high blood pressure and more. I want to encourage you to seek help when you need it, and not ignore the warning signs.

Stressed and busy bee

For more letters to the Editor, click here.