We all know that stress is at a very high level for the vast majority of people and most of us have our own ways of dealing with this stress. However, for those who do not know how to cope with stress, it is probably first useful to appreciate what stress is and how it can reveal itself.

Stress is most easily defined as: “A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression” (TheFreeDictionary.com).

There are many reasons why stress can come about, but the most common forms of stress come from finances, family, work, school, quarrels with friends and driving. The most stressful situations, however, are divorce, the death of a parent or spouse, moving house and changing job or school.

Since the causes of stress are so varied, it is helpful to be able to determine where your stress is coming from, so that you know how to treat or prevent it. You have to get to know yourself to deal with your stress, because not all people react in the same way to stress.

For instance, actors and top-flight business people often say that they have to have the buzz of stress to give their best performances. They have obviously learned how to harness stress to their own advantage whether unconsciously or by other methods. People who suffer from stress need to get to that phase.

When you have worked out what is causing your stress, you have a prospect of dealing with it. In fact, you have many chances of dealing with it. If the source of the stress is your employment, you may like to go for a drink with colleagues after work to talk things through once or twice a week, so long as you do not let it get out of hand and impinge on your family and your work.

Otherwise, you may go for a massage or a sauna or take regular weekend breaks either for pure relaxation or to follow a specific hobby such as hiking. In fact, a leisure pursuit of some kind is generally a good stress-reliever, even if the hobby itself is stressful. Just altering the routine appears to help a lot of people. Some people turn to shopping and beauty salons.

A weekend picnic, communing with nature, or rambling are other major de-stressers. The point is that you have to find something that suits you. For example, I work alone all day and detest shopping, so when I have done my bit, I seek out people to have a conversation. My wife on the other hand spends all day with people, and likes to hose the garden alone at the end of her working day.

Other major stress relievers are sports – either watching them or playing them. Playing is obviously healthier than watching, but given that stress is a major killer in the West, the reduction of stress is the main worry. Yoga and meditation are a fantastic compromise between being active and passive in your coping with stress.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on several of topics, but is currently involved with work on high blood pressure charts. If you want to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at High Blood Pressure Recipes.