WHAT IS STRESS? AND HOW TO DE-STRESS

Source: Unsplash by Yoshi Prihantoro

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the increasing stresses of daily life? Nothing is certain or secure these days, and the world around us is changing even as I type this. However, most of the time you are unaware that you are stressed, but your body knows and will warn you.

There are several methods for dealing with stress that does not need medicine or supplements. And sometimes, after a hard day of work or school, all you need is some me time (not the movie, which was hilariously stressful) to de-stress.

Let’s look at how stress works, how it affects your body, the indications, and symptoms, and how to de-stress after a long day.

What is stress?

Pressure is the source of stress. You know you can’t handle all that comes your way on a daily basis. Pressure creates numerous sorts of stress, including mental, physical, and emotional. You can’t deal with every issue, and many of them are beyond your control.

It has a negative impact on your body and produces behavioural changes. Sometimes you’ll notice it right away, but other times you won’t and will go about your business as usual. Though a moderate amount of stress is normal. But when it becomes overwhelming for extended periods of time, it may indicate a mental health condition.

And if you do nothing to reduce your stress levels, it might be harmful to your long-term health. As a result, in order to get your life back on track, you must first know the indications and symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

There are several indications and symptoms of stress, the majority of which go unnoticed owing to your hectic day at work or school. You’ll recognise most of them on this list and say, “Oh wow, I’m stressed.”

Here are some things you’ll feel when stressed:

• Irritated by little things
• Anxious, nervous, or afraid
• Millions of thoughts running through your mind
• Not able to enjoy even the fun things
• Depression
• Worried or tense

When you’re stressed, you will experience these symptoms. This can cause you to act in a number of ways, including:

• Worrying all-day
• Hard to make decisions
• Unable to concentrate
• Small things make you snap at people
• Biting your nails
• Eating too much or too little
• Frustrated at everything
• Emotional
• Lose interest in people around you

This will not only have a negative effect on your day but also put your health at risk of mental health problems.

How stress can affect your mental and physical health

Stress has the power to cause negative effects that contribute to physical as well as mental problems.

For example:

• Aggression
• A feeling of loss of control
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Sadness and tears
• Concentration and memory loss

All this adds up to be a concern for your mental health. It is quite easy to feel this way, especially while dealing with the stresses of daily life.

It has an impact not only on your mental health but also on your physical health.

For example:

• Increase blood pressure
• Burnout
• Heartburn
• Headaches
• Neck and back pain

Your physical health is also jeopardised, allowing you to sit alone and ponder things over and over again. This, therefore, impedes your physical health by preventing you from doing daily tasks. 

But, there are methods to de-stress from circumstances and live stress-free. Although not completely, it is beneficial to develop the habit of reducing stress and preventing mental and physical health issues in the long term.

How can I de-stress?

There are several ways to de-stress without resorting to medication or supplements.

Here are a few suggestions for reducing stress and feeling more in control:

• Meditation, breath work, or yoga
• Staying connected with close friends and family
• Taking a walk in nature
• Tuning out from the digital world and getting lost in a book
• Exercise (gym, park, or home workouts)
• Being grateful and kind to yourself
• Cooking and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen
• Take a warm bath
• Listen to peaceful music

These are all excellent ways to unwind after a long day of work. Meditation is one of the most effective strategies to relieve stress. I use this strategy every day. You don’t have to sit for hours; only 10 minutes of mindful meditation may do wonders for your stress levels.

Source: Pixabay by lograstudio

Foods to help you de-stress

And, contrary to popular belief, there are some foods that can help you relieve stress and anxiety. If you haven’t already, try any of these foods to reduce stress.

• Oatmeal
• Asparagus
• Berries
• Dark chocolate
• Chamomile tea
• Yoghurt
• Almonds

Source: Unsplash by Adél Grőber

Final thoughts

So, as you can see, there are several methods to unwind after an eventful day. You don’t need medicine or supplements; you have the ability to cure yourself and make your life less stressful.

If you aren’t already, managing your stress levels should be an important part of your daily routine. It will assist you in avoiding mental health issues in the long term.

And if you attempt any of the above-mentioned stress-relieving activities, you’ll be able to carve out some me time for yourself. Let me know in the comments section which of those activities you enjoy doing, or if you have any other forms of stress-relieving methods I’d love to know.

And if you liked this post, please share it with others who are battling with stress or mental health issues. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on how you de-stress.