When we hear the word “stress”, we usually associate it with being overloaded with problems and so we become jaded. But, in contrast to that, not all stress is bad. Every one of us experiences stress and we can’t get away with it. Stress is just our body’s reaction to the demands of life. When we are faced with challenges, the fight-or-flight response is triggered.
Two types of stress
Acute stress
Acute stress is also known as the good stress because it makes our body alert and active as we are pumped with so much adrenaline. This happens when we are only facing a little bit of stress.
Chronic stress
Chronic stress on the other hand, is the bad stress because it can have unfavorable effects on the body. It is a long-term stress which we usually get from overthinking and when we don’t get to relax our mind in between challenges.
Stress, when left unchecked, can cause problems physically, mentally and emotionally. It can bring on or worsen diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and even obesity. It generally affects the whole body system since one is connected to the other. Stress can also lead to depression, anxiety, restlessness, and anger. It also affects your judgment and your ability to deal with focus since your mind is clouded with unnecessary things. Stress loses your focus.
However, you have options.
How you can prevent stress
While we cannot control the ever-increasing stressors that we encounter, our reaction to those stressors can be controlled before it takes over us. However, there are people who resort to the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs to relieve stress. People who use those substances may feel a temporary relief but what they don’t know is that the long terms effects of using those substances are detrimental. Instead of feeling relieved, it actually causes more stress to the body.
The best way to lessen stress is to breathe our way out of it, literally and figuratively. Breathing can improve blood circulation and it keeps us calm. When getting a deep breath, make sure not to think of anything – just let it all go. Meditate. Listen to music. Tune in to your body. Exercise always works best in channeling your energy instead of wasting it overthinking and getting depressed. Revisit good old memories. Reach out. Call a friend. Talking to someone who always has something nice to say does not fail to make someone feel better even after a long day. Eat right. Sleep better. Try some new things. Focus on the positive side. Laugh it off. Lastly, talk yourself through it. No one understands you better than yourself. Be open-minded and try to accept things that you cannot change. Don’t stress out on things that are not worth your energy.
They say that stress is a just feeling, that it’s all just in the mind. Then it makes you wonder, why would a “feeling” have such impact on my body? It may be in the mind, initially, but then we always have a physiological response to stimuli. When those physiologic changes build up, it can lead to health problems.
