What is stress?
Stress is the body’s response to changes in the environment. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to respond to danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief, or when a person is extremely sensitive to stress.
What are the effects of stress?
This negative response can disturb the body’s internal balance or equilibrium, leading to physical symptoms like headaches, difficulty sleeping, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, upset stomach, and sexual dysfunction. Exaggerated stress can also lead to anxiety and depression. Research suggests that stress can bring on or worsen control of chronic disease states and is linked to some of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, breathing problems (asthma) and suicide.
In order to deal with stress, people may develop habits like avoiding work and social activities. Others may develop compulsive behavior such as over-eating, smoking, alcoholism, gambling, and overindulgence with shopping and internet. However, rather than relieving stress, these behaviors tend to keep the body in a stressed state.
How to manage stress
Although not all stressful circumstances can be changed, you can learn to manage your stress
and lead a healthier and happier life. Some tips are:
- Always think positively
- Accept that there are things that you cannot change.
- Communicate your feelings clearly, without becoming angry, defensive or upset.
- Eat a proper diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Make sure that you get a good night's sleep.
- Time management: learn to manage your work more efficiently.
- Make time for hobbies and interests that you enjoy.
- Don't rely on alcohol, drugs or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
- Have a strong network of family members and friends. Spend time with them, take their help and be ready to help when needed.
- Practice relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation.
- If you continue to feel poorly, seek treatment with a psychiatrist or a psychologist trained in stress management.
