Stress And Its Management

Important Note: Before reading this blog please bear in mind that everything mentioned here in this blog is based on internet research which may or may not be correct. All the readers are advised to consider this just for an informational purpose only. Please consult your doctor if you are not feeling well.

What is Stress

As per WHO stress can be defined as “any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. These days life has become so complex that no matter what you do and where you are every now and then you will feel stressed. Having said that, I would not mean that being stressed is a new way of life. Rather you can follow and use many techniques to reduce it and make your life easier. However to get to the management of stress you first have to understand it well what are the causes? Where is it coming from? Because sometimes  you have to remove the root cause of it while sometimes you have to tweak your routine so that you can better manage your stress. It has also been seen after some research that while some level of stress can motivate an individual, the same level can also profuse someone else. Stress causes headaches, insomnia and thus results in decreased productivity in a person. Stress can also impact one’s mood , behavior, relationships and how one usually works. Heightened stress levels also lead to suppressed immunity, digestive and reproductive problems, premature ageing, and a greater risk of heart attack. Also, stress can leave one more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. In short, stress can affect every aspect of one’s life. So, it becomes paramount important to manage your stress levels, for leading a happy and a peaceful life. Our body can change in the following ways during a stress reaction:

 

• Breathing speeds up
• Dysfunctioning of digestive system
• Blood pressure and pulse rate rises
• Immune activity decreases
• Muscles become more tense
• Causes insomnia

 

Some people can experience several stressors in tandem or at once without this leading to a severe stress reaction. Others may have a stronger response to a single stressor.

Types Of Stress

There are two types of stress: acute and chronic, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).  These two types requisite different  levels of management.

The NIMH also identify three examples of types of stressor:

• routine stress, such as childcare, homework, or financial responsibilities
• sudden, disruptive changes, such as a family grief or finding out about a job loss
• traumatic stress, which can occur due to extreme trauma as a result of a severe accident, an assault, an environmental disaster, or war

Acute Stress

Acute stress develops when people consider the pressures of events that have recently occurred or face upcoming challenges in the near future.

For example, a person may feel stressed about a recent argument or an upcoming deadline. However, the stress will reduce or disappear once a person resolves the argument or meets the deadline.

Chronic Stress

This type of stress is extremely harmful and develops over a long period of time. Continuing penury, a dysfunctional family, or a failed marriage are examples of situations that can cause chronic stress. It occurs when a person can see no way to avoid their stressors and stops seeking solutions. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can develop when stress becomes chronic. People with chronic stress are at risk of having a final breakdown that can lead to suicide, violent actions, a heart attack, or even a  stroke.

 

How the stress can be managed

 

It has been emphasized by many professionals that by tweaking our lifestyles we can manage our daily life stresses which are on an acute level. Few of the regular practices recommended by doctors are given below which can help one stay fit. However, one must consult the doctors if you are not feeling well. Individuals should comply with the following lifestyle steps that can help them stay fit.

 

• Exercise: Exercise can minimize the overall levels of  stress in an individual. Doing 30 minutes of regular yoga and exercise keeps your fitness in check. It also helps in reducing premature ageing. It improves your vitality and you look younger which is the goal of most human beings.

• Reducing the intake of alcohol and other drugs: Alcohol and other drugs are not good for health. Staying away from such substances will make your life simpler and keep you fit.. 

• Healthy Nutrition: One should always take a balanced diet containing lots of fruits and vegetables, as these help  in maintaining our immunity. 

• Priority management: Spend a little time making a daily to-do list and focus on the time taking or the urgent tasks. Individuals should always focus on the finished task for the day, rather than the work they are yet to complete. This gives you a feeling of accomplishment. 

• Time Management: One should plan and organize his/her schedules well in advance, so you do not have to hurry at the last moment.

• Meditation and Breathing exercise and relaxation : Meditation with breathing exercise helps a lot to calm you down. Relaxation techniques can slow down the heart rate which is good for health. 

• Talking about your feelings: One should always share one’s innate feelings and concerns with their near and dear ones like the family, friends, and office colleagues. This may  help in reducing the  feelings of seclusion,  and thus decrease the anxiety levels.

Looking good: Often when we are not well groomed and not dressed properly we have low self confidence and might develop an inferiority complex. If you are well groomed and dressed properly you feel great about yourself which gives you self confidence. Well groomed person also attracts more attention from the people around them.  

While stress and anxiety is a real challenge of today’s lifestyles. But it should not become a new normal. We have no authority to talk about these serious issues especially when it comes to giving advice but staying fit should be the goal of every individual and that’s why we chose to touch  upon this topic. We highly recommend consulting a doctor if you are not feeling well. On that note, always  Stay healthy! Stay Happy! And Stay Groomed! Thank you for reading.