LagosMums Guide: How To Combat Stress in Lagos

When you’re being overwhelmed with different things, it means you’re stressed. When you then combine this with all the extra hassle that comes with living in Lagos, your stress level can easily skyrocket and this may affect your mental health. Below are 7 things you and family members can do to combat stress.

Do you know that Lagos ranks third on the list of most stressful cities in the world? The list was compiled based on factors ranging from traffic levels, public transport, percentage of green spaces. In addition, the financial status of citizens including debt levels, physical and mental health, and the hours of sunlight the city gets per year were all assessed.

For Mums, meeting the daily demands of life can be challenging. Mums tend to have much more stress than many other individuals. We hear it all the time that mums are taking care of every other person but themselves. A typical #LagosMums daily routine includes thinking, worrying, planning, plotting and trying to get things done for the family, children and herself within 24 hours. This also includes being stuck in traffic and having to deal with electricity issues. To combat stress in Lagos it is important for your health as a mum to find ways to deal with stress more effectively for better long-term health.

Children can be stressed too

A stressed child is unable to prioritise and if unchecked will lead to a fragile, anxious adult. When some children are stressed they cry, become aggressive, talk back or become irritable.

Others may behave well but become nervous, fearful, or panicky. Stress can affect children’s physical health as well. Asthma, hay fever, migraine headache and gastrointestinal illnesses like colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcer can be exacerbated by stressful situations. How can parents help? What causes stress for children? Read How parents can help children reduce stress

Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it.

According to Mayo Clinic, You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the culprit.

Common effects of stress

Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behaviour. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can give you a jump on managing them.

Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Common effects of stress on your body

Headache
Muscle tension or pain
Chest pain
Fatigue
Change in sex drive
Stomach upset
Sleep problems

Common effects of stress on your mood

Anxiety
Restlessness
Lack of motivation or focus
Feeling overwhelmed
Irritability or anger
Sadness or depression

Common effects of stress on your behavior

Overeating or undereating
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol abuse
Tobacco use
Social withdrawal
Exercising less often

Some Tips to Combat Stress

To combat stress in Lagos you need to first identify that you are stressed. If you have stress symptoms, taking steps to manage your stress can have numerous health benefits. Explore stress management strategies, such as:

1. Regular physical activity

2. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or getting a massage

3. Keeping a sense of humour; this might be hard but this is key when it comes to how you can combat stress in Lagos.

4. Socializing with family and friends

5. Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music

6. Aim to find active ways to manage your stress. Inactive ways you may use to manage stress — such as watching television, surfing the Internet or playing video games — may seem relaxing, but they may increase your stress over the long term.

7. And be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid tobacco use, excess caffeine and alcohol intake, and the use of illicit substance.

Take sometime today to manage your stress, your future self and your family will thank you for it.

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