Manage Stress For Summer Sanity

Manage Stress For Summer Sanity

The summer season brings about visions of relaxing vacations, backyard barbecues and kids riding bicycles. These scenes hardly invoke tension, yet summer always arrives with its share of stress.

Dr. John Roncone, chair of the Allied Health department at Brown Mackie College-North Canton in North Canton, Ohio, offers advice for creating a smooth transition between seasons.

"Circumstances change in the summer," Roncone says. "School no longer keeps the kids occupied for most of the day. Parents sometimes look to the older siblings to care for younger ones, but they would rather be out with friends instead." This type of conflict can cause stress throughout the family.

"The changes summer brings impact all aspects of life," says Roncone. "You put more mileage on the car by dropping the kids off at daycare and picking them up. Buying more gas has a financial impact. We get up earlier, and it takes more time to prepare for each day." As we sleep less - yet do more each day, stress can build.

Roncone, who holds a Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion, recommends becoming aware of common summer stress in order to manage it. Stress is defined as the mental, emotional and physiological response of a body to any life situation. It can manifest in many different ways. Symptoms of stress include:

• headaches


• teeth grinding


• nervous ticks


• poor concentration


• pacing


• difficulty sleeping or insomnia


• an increase or decrease in appetite

Other symptoms include:

• depression


• irritation


• anger


• hostility


• fatigue


• clammy hands


• nausea


• social inhibition

So what's the best way to cope with stress? Roncone suggests these simple steps for effective stress management:


Exercise

Physical activity is especially easy to do during the summer when warmer weather expands options. "It doesn't matter if you choose to walk, jog, bike, hike or swim," says Roncone. "Physical activity is conducive to good health."


Eat A Healthy Diet

Stay away from high fat foods. Roncone suggests eating fruit instead of ice cream, and celery and carrots instead of a chocolate bar.


Manage Time Well

Watching TV, sleeping and even shopping can be time killers, especially if done to excess. "Use time wisely," says Roncone. "Within your daily structure, find time to relax and evaluate the day's activities."


Release Anger A Healthy Way

Roncone advises to recognize anger for what it is. "Don't be afraid of it. Think things through before you speak or act with an angry response. Counting to 10 can help you calm down," he says.


Be More Optimistic

"Look at the glass as half full, not half empty," Roncone says. "When we're not expecting the worst, we tend to feel better."


Smile

It's contagious. When someone smiles at you, it's nearly impossible not to smile back.

It can also be helpful to post emergency phone numbers on the refrigerator. Make sure family members know where the first aid kit is, and include instructions on what to do for common maladies like bee stings or scuffed knees. By addressing the changes in schedule, you and your family will be more likely see a healthy and productive summer.