Stress Management

image of man meditating.

Most people have experienced stress at some point in their life. However, what you may not realize is that stress can also have a big impact on your health.

Stress can cause many of the symptoms that you blame on illness — such as difficulty sleeping, depression or even changes in your sex drive.

The good news is that you can often eliminate or decrease those symptoms, simply by learning how to manage your stress.

Common Signs of Stress

Stress can affect your body, mood and behavior. Here’s how.

Effects of stress on your body:

  • Backache
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Headache
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Pain or tension in your muscles
  • Tiredness
  • Upset stomach

Effects of stress on your mood:

  • Anger or irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Depression or sadness
  • Feeling unfocused or unmotivated
  • Frustration
  • Loneliness
  • Restlessness

Effects of stress on your behavior:

  • Angry outbursts
  • Blaming others
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Eating too much or too little
  • Smoking tobacco
  • Withdrawing from friends and family

Steps for Managing Your Stress

You can’t always eliminate the stress in your life. Nonetheless, you can change how you react to whatever is causing the stress.

Here are some steps you can take to catch stress earlier, and deal with it before it gets out of control:

  • Monitor your stress
  • Identify what’s causing your stress
  • Use stress management strategies
  • Stay physically active
  • Reconnect with friends and family
  • Have some fun

Stress Management Strategies

There are many stress management strategies available to help you get your stress under control. For the best chance of success, find one that works for you. These include:

  • Establishing a coping method for stress
  • Deep breathing
  • Exercise and physical activity
  • Meditation
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Tai chi
  • Yoga

You will get better results from these if you also eat healthfully, reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, skip the cigarettes and get enough sleep.

If you are not sure whether your physical or mental symptoms are due to stress, see your doctor. While stress is often the cause of these symptoms, other health conditions may also be involved.

This is especially important if you have chest pain that is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain spreading into your shoulder and arm
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness

These could be warning signs of a heart attack. If you have any of these, seek emergency help immediately.

To find out more about how managing stress can improve your general wellbeing, contact us for an appointment.

Multicare Health Clinic

3930 Stadium Dr
Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone Number: (712) 276-4325

Get Directions

Location

Email Us

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Primary Location

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

  • "My shoulder and neck feel so much better. I now have the knowledge, motivation, desire and tools to keep up the exercises."
    Barb B.
  • "I leave here feeling confident that I have the resources to manage my pain and live normally, and that's priceless."
    Alycen V.
  • "There couldn't be a better physical therapy team in Siouxland! Not only did my knee feel so much better after six weeks, but I feel like I made new friends."
    Karla K.
  • "After an accident at work I didn't think I'd ever get relief from my aching shoulder. But, the doctors at Multicare gave me adjustments and physical therapy and now I feel normal again."
    Cliff C.
  • "I'm now a believer now! I didn't think chiropractic could help my foot problems. But after meeting with Dr. Pistello and Dr. Dave for a few weeks, I'm feeling so much better!"
    Gino G.
  • "Dr. Sneller helped. I haven't been feeling dizzy anymore."
    Belinda B
  • "I'm so glad my sister referred me to Multicare! My elbow hasn't felt this good in a long time. Thanks to the great physical therapy team there."
    Ellen E.
  • "I'm a runner. When I wasn't able to run due to leg problems, I was devastated. But a consultation at Multicare Health Clinic identified the problem and after some adjustments, stimulation treatments and therapy, I'm running again!"
    Lisa L.
  • "My company encouraged all of us employees to get screened at Multicare. I didn't know what to expect. It was easy and I learned so much. The orthotics they prescribed really help me to feel more stable and confident at work."
    Jim J.
  • "Being able to present my back pain to three different professions in one place and knowing that they are working together to make me better is very comforting."
    Charlie P.
  • "Not only is my pain level down to zero, but what I'm really thrilled with, is that I have normal feeling in my hands."
    Jill L.
  • "After my consultatin with the doctors at Multicare Health Clinic, I understand how to address my balance issues."
    Anna A.
  • "At night my right hand would go painfully numb at least 2-3 times where I could not sleep. Now, I don't have that pain and can get a full night sleep."
    Janet D.
  • "I wasn't able to use my hand the way I should. After working with Dr. Sneller and the physical therapy team, I can use my hand again."
    Ivy I.
  • "After my knee surgery I was asked where I wanted to do my physical therapy, I chose Multicare Health Clinic and I'm so glad I did! Dr. Steve and the therapy assistants (Sara and Megan) are fabulous! They know what they're doing and they all really seemed to care about my recovery. I'm feeling fantastic! I'll definitely go back again whenever I need therapy or adjustments."
    Sheri J.
  • "I wasn't able to use my hand the way I should. After working with Dr. Sneller and the physical therapy team, I can use my hand again."
    Henry H.
  • "I now can go a full week without pain and headaches."
    Luke W.