Ways to deal with major crisis stress

Terry Clark-Jones, Michigan State University Extension -

Crisis happens less frequently but can cause a lot of stress.

The big life events that take place less often causes the most stress. These events might be a loss of income, illness or divorce. Positive life events such as getting married, beginning a new job or building/purchasing a new home can also trigger major stress. Whether these life events are good or bad, the stress they cause will affect you and your family.

In the beginning of a stressful crisis, we may feel like we are never going to get through it but the good news is, you will. Be aware that you may have a number of different reactions to any given stressful situation. You may feel tired, have difficulty sleeping and eating, have headaches or feel dizzy. You may have trouble focusing and your memory maybe effected. You may experience feelings of guilt or helplessness which begins to cause you doubt about your decisions. These feeling and reactions are normal.

Here are a few tips to help you manage crisis stress in the best ways possible

  • Try to live your life as normal as possible. Keep busy with everyday activities.
  • Talk with family and friends, especially those who may be able to give you a different perspective on the situation.
  • Avoid drugs, alcohol and/or nicotine.
  • Partake in strenuous exercise, which can help you work through your feelings.
  • Journal the feelings you are experience because of this crisis.
  • Take life one day at a time.
  • If you stress level becomes a concern to you or members of your family, visit your doctor or health care professionals.

For more information on stress management, visit Michigan State University Extension.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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