By Joanna Domina
Stress.
Everyone has experienced it at some point in their life.
Stress is caused by many different factors in life including, stress at home, stress at work, and stress at school.
Stress can affect a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. It can be positive such as winning the lottery or negative such as failing a test. Learning how to balance is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If stress is not handled well it can lead to a lower immune system and sickness. Or in extreme cases, stomach ulcers.
College is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. Many new responsibilities are thrown your way without instructions on how to handle them all. Often times, we are expected to handle more on our plate then we bargained for.
A year ago, I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. Until that point, I had a very stressful time managing school work, friends, and work life. I would listen to many people lecture on stress relief techniques and dismiss them without any regard until one day I woke up with the most awful burning sensation in my chest and stomach.
After a week of pain, the doctors told me I had a stomach ulcer and placed me on medication. The ulcer disappeared and life went on. With no stress relief techniques in my life the ulcer returned with a vengeance and I had to have an Endoscopy (a flexible tube with a camera and light that goes into the stomach) this past week. The doctors found three red areas where the ulcer had reoccurred and is now healing.
I now exercise different stress relief techniques that work for my lifestyle. The key is to find what works for YOU. Because what may work for you doesn’t mean it would work for someone else. Everyone battles different stress on a daily basis.
My stress relievers are 30 minute jogs, bubble baths, naps when needed, and a low key movie night in my pjs. What works for me might not work for you but it is very important to find what helps relieve your stress so you can stay healthy and stomach ulcer free.