Managing Stress

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What is stress?
Stress is the physical and mental response of the body to demands made upon it. However, not all stress is bad. Based on the levels of stress, there is adaptive stress and negative stress.

Adaptive stress helps us to face life’s challenges in a healthy way. It increases the flow of adrenaline, nor-adrenaline and glucose thereby igniting a buzz of energy and enables creativity, focus and alertness. We need some stress to get everyday things done or else w can get ‘bored’ or ‘rust out’.

Negative stress on the other hand, occurs when our ability to cope up with life’s demands shatters. The stress chemicals produced needs to be broken down (for example by physical activity). Otherwise they prevent the body from relaxing and eventually results in permanent state of stress accompanied by worry, irritability and panic.

In the general conversation, when one says stress, he is actually talking about negative stress.

How does stress affect us
Physically -  The heart pumps faster, making the heart pound and blood pressure rise; some people experience palpitations. Muscle tension increases, leading to headaches, dizziness, jaw ache and even insomnia. The mouth goes dry, digestion slows causing “butterflies” in the stomach. Breathing is faster and less efficient which can lead to over breathing (hyperventilation) and breathlessness. Changes in the flow of blood to the skin can cause sweating, blushing or clammy hands and feet.

Mentally -  A certain amount of stress can be mentally stimulating but too much can affect our thinking ability. Thoughts may become jumbled and confused. Thinking becomes focused on worrying. We may become preoccupied with problems. It becomes much harder to make decisions or find solutions to problems.Thinking negatively and fearing the worst increases worry and stress.

Emotionally -  People respond to stress in many different ways. Common emotional effects are irritability, impatience, anger, frustration, fear, anxiety, self-doubt, panic, despondency, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, hopelessness, unhappiness, emotional withdrawal and depression.

Behaviorally – Stress can change people’s behavior towards one another. We may become less sociable, less caring, more hostile and insensitive towards others. When stress is accompanied by anger we may become less tolerant, fly off the handle easily and provoke rows. Many people respond to stress by eating, drinking or smoking much more than is usual: some engage in risk taking behavior.

Managing stress
Confront the cause – Identify the cause of the stress and scrutinize it. Confront it and break it down into manageable parts. Tackle one part at a time and take others advise if needed. The best way to manage stress is to solve it!

Break the stress chemicals – It is important to break down the chemicals created in our body. The most effective way to do so is physical activity. Run, workout, join a gym, play a sport.

Distract yourself – Look at the brighter side of life. Waite down the good things you have and feel happy. Remember that there are many more miserable people than you. Join a club, engage in social activities, talk to others. Do not engage in self pity.

Let it out – Express your feelings. Talk it out, write a diary, shout or moan. It is very important to let your feelings out. Sometimes having a good cry or bashing a pillow can release emotional pressure and calm your feelings of anxiety.

Seek professional help – if undergoing a severe stress where self help is not enough, do not hesitate to seek professional help. There are lots of psychiatrists who can help you. Seek medication if needed. But never ignore extreme stress conditions as they can be extremely harmful, so much so, that they can also be fatal.

Tags: adaptive, health, healthy living, managing stress, mental stress, negative, professional help, stress, stress affect