Stress comes in many forms, including physical, mental and environmental and it's no secret that stress is a major problem in today's world. It can affect us in ways we never imagined.
While stress isn’t necessarily bad if you’re constantly busy and working toward achieving your goals, chronic stress can be dangerous to your mental and physical health.
Depending on the degree to which stress affects you, it can wreak havoc on your body and mind in the form of illness, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and even depression and so much more.
Have you ever thought about the effect of stress on your body? Well, here's something that might surprise you: there are actually three different types of stress:
The first type is called eustress and it's the good kind. It's when something exciting happens to us—like getting a promotion at work or getting married.
The second type is known as distress and this is when we're experiencing something negative like losing a loved one or not being able to pay our bills on time.
The third type of stress is known as distressful distress and this causes even more problems for our bodies than the first two types combined! For example, it can cause high blood pressure which leads to hypertension which puts us at risk for heart attacks and strokes! That's why it's so important to learn how to manage your stress levels before they become unmanageable!
Why do we get stressed?
Stress is a normal part of life. You can't avoid it. But you can manage it with healthy coping skills.
We all deal with stress in different ways. The key is finding the way that works for you.
What Does Stress Do to Our Bodies?
Stress affects every system in our bodies. The digestive system is one of the first impacted by stress because it produces more acid in response. This can lead to heartburn or stomach ulcers, which are both painful. Depression can also result in a lack of appetite or overeating, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss respectively.
The Truth about Stress Hormones
Your first line of defence against stress is your endocrine system. This system is made up of glands that release hormones when triggered by your brain. The main two hormones released in stressful situations are cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol works to increase blood sugar levels and break down fat, while adrenaline increases heart rate and respiration rates, and dilates the pupils. These hormones can help you escape a dangerous situation or perform well in sports competitions if used properly. However, if left unchecked over time these same hormones will do irreversible damage to the body’s organs like the heart and liver as well as cause weight gain.
How can I tell if I’m Stressed?
Stress can be a tricky thing to identify. Even if you feel like you're doing your best to keep up with everything in your life, it's possible that you're still experiencing stress without realizing it. One of the most common signs is that your body feels tense for no apparent reason. You might also find yourself feeling more tired than usual or having trouble focusing on the tasks at hand. Stress affects our moods and health, but there are plenty of ways to control it before it controls us!
Dealing with Immediate Stressors
If you are feeling stressed at the moment, there are a few things that you can do in order to help relieve some of your stress. One thing that has been shown to relieve stress is taking deep breaths. Inhale for five seconds and exhale for five seconds. You could also drink a glass of water as staying hydrated can improve mood and reduce feelings of tension.
You may also find it helpful to try meditating or doing some stretching exercises such as yoga or Pilates.
Dealing with Chronic Stressors
There are a lot of different things that can cause chronic stress. Work-related stress is one of the most common culprits, but you can also experience it due to financial concerns or issues at home. Whatever the cause is, it's important that you find ways to manage your stress levels before they get out of control.
Here are a few tips for dealing with chronic stressors: Decide what aspect of your life is causing the most stress. Is it work? Home? Finances? Kids? Once you figure out what is stressing you the most, it will be easier to find strategies that can help reduce those pressures.
For example, if work has been giving you trouble recently because your workload keeps piling up while there seems like no end in sight, try delegating some of those tasks so that they don't have as much impact on your day-to-day responsibilities.
How to Manage Chronic Pain
If you are dealing with chronic pain, there are a few ways that you can manage it. First of all, it is important to keep your mind occupied. Try reading or watching a movie. You should also try not to focus on the pain; instead, think about something else. There are also many physical activities that will help reduce pain in the body such as yoga or brisk walking.
The effects of Chronic Stress on the Brain and on Behaviour
When the body is under chronic stress (stress that lasts over a prolonged period of time), it can have negative effects on both the brain and behaviour. When we experience stress, our body releases adrenaline into our bloodstream which increases heart rate and blood pressure. This response is necessary for us when we are in a life-threatening situation such as being chased by a bear or running away from an attacker. Adrenaline helps us to react quickly in these situations by getting us out of harm's way as fast as possible.
Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can control your stress levels so that it doesn't have a negative impact on your body or mind.
Use the following tips to control stress to reduce its effects on your body and mind to ensure that you are prepared to handle any stressful situation that comes your way:
Be aware of what's causing the stress in your life. If it's not possible to eliminate that source, try and reduce your exposure to it.
Identify what makes you feel calm (and do more of those things).
Take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, hydrating and practising good hygiene habits.
Be kind to yourself and practice positive self-talk and visualisation, and don't overthink.
Do something different, such as a hobby or going for a walk in nature or on the beach, listening, dancing or even jumping around to your favourite music.
Practice mindful breathing - sitting still with eyes closed for 10 minutes each day. Breathe deeply through the nose into the belly for four counts, then hold for four counts, then exhale out slowly for five counts through pursed lips until all air is gone from the lungs and repeat a few times.
Make sure you take a step back to smell the roses and remember, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!!!
Comments