Stress! Stress!! Stress!!!
We’re all aware of how much stress can affect our productivity as a person, regardless of the work we do. It can also cause some very alarming health issues if not managed well or attended to immediately.
First, we should know that stress is a natural part of our lives as human beings.
Stress can arise from the work we do, from thinking/worrying, etc., and we really don’t have to do a lot of work to get stressed out.
The important thing is realizing the various ways stress occurs in our everyday life and how to manage it so it doesn’t take a grave effect on us that leads to the shutting down of our mind and body.
Effect of Stress on Your Body
Next, you need to understand where this kind of stress comes from; it could be from a physical strain, a mental strain, a financial strain, or even an emotional strain.
Our body is so agile that when it perceives a threat or challenge, the ‘fight-or-flight response is triggered, which can lead to a surge of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that prepares our body to take action.
While this is a great action needed to help keep our body going no matter the stress we experience, we should also keep in mind that when we put our body through chronic stress, it can lead to significant health issues like
Weakened Immune System: Stress tends to reduce the body’s ability to fight off infections, which makes us more prone to illnesses.
Heart Problems: Chronic stress increases blood pressure and heart rate, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Digestive Issues: Stress can lead to stomach aches, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gastrointestinal issues.
Weight Gain: High levels of cortisol can lead to increased appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods, which contributes to obesity.
Mental Health Decline: Prolonged stress is a major contributor to anxiety and depression and can have grave effects on how our mood changes.
Sleep Disturbances: Many people under stress experience insomnia or poor-quality sleep, which will cause further health problems.
How to Keep Stress at Bay
Now that we understand what causes stress, knowing how to keep it at bay is very important. Below, I listed a few things we can put to work to better manage stress:
Regular Exercising: Engaging in physical activities like exercising can help process excess adrenaline, keep cortisol levels in check, and release endorphins, which help reduce the impact of stress and boost our mood.
Practicing Relaxation Techniques: Practicing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help keep the cortisol level balanced, calm the nervous system, and reduce stress levels.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help regulate cortisol, reduce stress, and prevent the overproduction of adrenaline.
Getting Enough Sleep: Depriving ourselves of the right amount of sleep our body needs to heal from the day’s trouble/stress can deteriorate our health in ways we don’t expect. So, ensuring you get quality sleep will help regulate our hormones and improve our emotional well-being.
Stay Socially Connected: I mentioned earlier that we can be emotionally stressed out, so it’s important to have a strong support system from friends and family. This kind of support can provide emotional comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.
Managing Time: Organizing tasks and setting priorities can prevent us from feeling too overwhelmed with so many activities and improve our productivity.
Engage in Relaxing Activities: Embracing hobbies like reading, painting, drawing, cooking, dancing, and listening to music can help shift our focus from stressors and promote relaxation.
Seeking Professional Help: Most of the time, we might think we have it all under control until the last straw is drawn and we lose control. Stress can cause depression and anxiety, and to prevent such from happening, when it feels like you can’t handle it all, it’s okay to seek help from professionals. It’s not a sign of weakness but of strength. You should know it takes a lot of boldness to identify what’s wrong and go ahead to seek the right help to solve that issue.
CONCLUSION
While stress is an inevitable part of our lives, learning to manage it effectively can prevent its negative impact on our bodies and minds. So, by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and practicing relaxation techniques, we can build resilience and improve our overall well-being. Taking proactive steps to manage stress can lead to a healthier, happier, and more balanced life.
Written By: Bethel-Gold
