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Working toward and maintaining a healthy state of mind can be just as important as the effort we put forth to improve our individual physical health. Consider some of the following…
Stress:
According to recent studies, over 40% of adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress, including heart disease, cancer, cirrhosis, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, and ulcers. These can all be linked to leading causes of death for the average American, including suicide. Nearly 90% of visits to primary-care physicians for chronic disorders and complaints are related to stress.
Short Term Accute Stress:
May come from work pressure, meeting deadlines, over exertion, increased physical activity, or minor accident. signs and symptoms: - headaches
- back pain
- stomach problems
- rapid heart beat
- muscle aches or body pain
Accute Stress:
Is common in people who take on too many responsibilities and are overworked or overloaded, disorganized, always in a hurry and never on time. signs and symptoms: - prolonged tension headaches
- hypertension
- migraines
- chest pain
- heart disease
Cronic Stress:
Is the most serious of all three types. Cronic stress is a stress that exists for weeks, months, years. This stress is due to provery, broken or stressed families and relationships, cronic illiness, and successive failures in life. Some may get use to this type of stress and not realize they are under cronic stress and is harmful to their health.
The stressors we may experience as gay men attempting to fit in with societal norms, family perspective, and relationship dynamics and it becomes obvious that stress can be a leading cause of sustained health issues. Other studies even go so far as to say that stress has a direct effect on a healthy immune system over time, which for those of us living with HIV/AIDS is of crucial understanding.
On the other hand, studies also show that there are many ways to deal with stress in a constructive manner and lessen these negative effects on our physical and mental health. You might consider trying some of the following:
- Regular exercise in the form of hiking, biking, or a trip to the gym not only improves physical health but also provides the mind with a way to deal with stress. For more information on the importance of exercise, visit our section on <body and exercise>.
- The effects of meditation on reducing stress in the mind have been known for hundreds of years to some cultures. Many good books are available on the subject from your local public library, and resources are available in most areas, even online, to practice with others.
- Why not try meditation and action? Yoga, Tai Chi, Qui Gong and other forms of martial and movement arts all touch upon the value of meditation in motion.
- Find a hobby that is rewarding to you, such as playing guitar, reading, painting or tending a garden. Often, just a shift in focus can provide a much needed break.
- Get away from it all for a short vacation… whether that means camping, a walk at the beach, or an appointment at a local spa or massage therapist. Treat yourself to something nice.
- Find others who share your passions and talk about your common issues and strengths. You might even consider one of the many <individual counseling programs>, <upcoming community events>, or <social and support groups> offered at Gay Men’s Health Services as a beginning.
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