Stress

Stresses have always been a part and parcel of life. Be it family issues, financial dealings, professional pressures and even environmental disturbances, stresses are unavoidable in our lives. In addition to that, if we remain busy building our careers and neglect our physical health, then we are bound to be stressed all the more.

Lack of sleep, daily mental pressures and physical inactivity are some of the major causes of stress.

Stress can be seriously damaging to your health and affect many aspects of life. So it is always a better idea to try and tackle it at the earliest. Stress can result in depression, anxiety, stomach trouble, fatigue and many other issues.

Stress is the number one cause of illness and disease in India. The World Health Organization says that stress has been cited as contributing to more deaths worldwide than AIDS, tuberculosis, and road accidents combined. It’s a heavy statement, but it's true.

Components of Stress Management

Stress is one of the most common mental issues that people face these days. Even though stress is not a serious condition, it can affect your productivity and overall well-being. At such times, it is difficult to think of ways to tackle stress. The key is to find some stress management techniques that work for you and make the most of them.

Stress management is a critical part of staying healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. There isn't an easy solution to managing stress, but being more aware of how your body responds to it can make it easier. Stress responses aren't all bad, but they're also not something you want to live with constantly. 

Stress management is a way to deal with the everyday stresses in your life. It involves identifying and reducing or eliminating the causes of stress while increasing your ability to cope with stressful situations.

The three main components of stress management are:

1. Recognizing and changing any behaviour that is contributing to the problem (for example, identifying and changing your work-related schedule or priorities, spending more time with friends or family, etc).

2. Learning techniques for relaxing your muscles and calming your mind (for example, meditation, deep breathing, etc.).

3. Managing your reactions to stressful situations (for example, learning how to effectively talk yourself out of anger or frustration).

Stress is a harmful condition that affects individuals on a psychological level as well as physical level. Stress can affect an individual's mental, emotional and physical health and can cause depression, anxiety and even irrational behaviour.

And when the mind and body are overexcited state, stress develops. Advanced in science, we understand the effects of stress on physical and mental health, but what we do not know very well is how to prevent them.

Stress is not just negative. It can also be used positively to help you in various spheres of life. A certain amount of stress is required to make you perform better at your job, have a better relationship with your loved ones, or even take up a new hobby. Your mind tends to behave like an elastic band, and a certain amount of stress actually makes it function better.

However, some types of stress can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. Stress is basically an internal response that our body and brain undergo when they perceive an external demand or threat (either physical or mental). 

Acute stress usually lasts for a short duration and is followed by recovery from the stressor. Physical activities such as weightlifting, running and sports are good examples of acute stress.

Stress and anxiety are things no man can deal with. Many people suffer from stress and anxiety in their day to day lives. These issues can be easily overseen but if left untreated it could lead to a lot of problems like depression and other health issues.

Many of us have had bouts of stress and anxiety to deal with at some point in our lives. It can be work, or school-related, personal or even financial. Stress and anxiety are also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, obesity as well as Type-2 diabetes.

How to Manage Stress?

The best way to deal with stress and anxiety is to face them. Don’t try to hide from it. There are many self-help techniques that could help you overcome stress and anxiety. Watch your posture.

Stand up straight, chest up and don't lean forwards. This will help boost your confidence and projects you as a positive person.

Your mind has a powerful effect on your body. If you lose your temper, it can make you feel tired, anxious and stressed out. Try to be positive and peaceful, this will help you become more relaxed.

To help prevent feeling stressed at work, find time to enjoy what you do, rather than constantly focusing on deadlines or demands.

Get regular exercise, try not to exercise vigorously right before bedtime and make sure you eat properly throughout the day.

Make sure you get enough sleep, if possible go to bed earlier so that you sleep in a bit longer in the morning.

Take Away

Stress is a normal, everyday state of mind. It is not a disorder, but rather it is a part of life that can arise from any number of situations and circumstances, both at home and at work. The old saying goes something like this: “There is no problem without a solution”. So, we all need to manage stress in the best way possible.