Summary: Managing stress and anxiety is an important preparedness topic that is often overlooked. It's ignored because preparing for future struggles is often rooted in worry about future events. And, that worry causes us to place our preparedness ahead of all else. <br> <br> However, that's not to say that preparedness is not an excellent course of action to follow. As we all know, accidents, disasters, and bad times happen. When they happen, those who prepare are more likely to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. <br> <br> That said, people concerned about future problems can experience the adverse effects of long-term stress and anxiety. Those effects can impact both physical and mental health and, in so doing, decrease a person's ability to overcome difficult situations. In other words, not including efforts to manage stress and anxiety can reduce our overall preparedness capability. <br> <br> <br> Stress, Anxiety, and Worry<br> Worry is defined as anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. If that doesn't sum up the prepper mindset, including mine, I don't know what does. The bottom line is that worry is something that preparedness-minded people do. If we didn't worry, we wouldn't be as inclined to prepare as many of us do. <br> <br> On the flip side, people who don't worry are less inclined to prepare. Think about it, how many people have you seen who do not worry about the future and still spend their time and money getting prepped? Typically, people who don't worry about future uncertainties are the people we say have their heads buried in the sand. <br> <br> Ultimately, because we are concerned with the future, we, the preparedness-minded people of the world, tend to carry more stress. It's that stress that can have an adverse impact on a person's readiness. <br> The Adverse Effects of Stress and Anxiety<br> <br> <br> Here's a list of the adverse effects of stress and anxiety on our health and wellness: <br> Central Nervous System<br> <br> Headaches<br> Dizziness<br> Depression<br> Weight gain<br> <br> Cardiovascular System<br> <br> Rapid heart rate<br> Palpitations<br> Chest pain<br> Heart disease<br> High blood pressure<br> Coronary events<br> <br> Excretory and Digestive Systems<br> <br> Stomachaches<br> Nausea<br> Diarrhea<br> Digestive issues<br> Loss of appetite can also occur<br> Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)<br> <br> <br> Managing Stress and Anxiety in Preparedness<br> Stress and anxiety are everyday experiences that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. While it is normal to feel stressed or anxious, managing these emotions effectively to avoid their harmful effects on our mental and physical health is essential. Here are some ways to manage stress and anxiety:<br> <br> Exercise: Regular physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Exercise helps to release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that help to reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, exercise helps to improve physical health, which in turn can help to reduce stress levels.<br> Deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help to calm the mind and reduce stress levels. When we feel anxious or stressed, our breathing becomes shallow and rapid, which can exacerbate these feelings. We can slow down our heart rate and reduce our stress and anxiety by taking slow, deep breaths.<br> Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves focusing your attention on the present moment without judgment. This practice can help to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and helping to reduce negative thoughts and feelings.<br> Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can contribute to stress and anxiety. To manage stress and anxiety effectively, it is important to prioritize sleep and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
