STRESS. A common word you can hear in the workplace and at school daily. With the unending myriads of activities, issues, and conflicts every day, it is easy enough to see why everyone falls into this habit.
Stress is how the body responds to changes that cause tension to the mind and body. It can either be external or internal factors. This can be powerful that it can affect the body, mind, and behavior of individuals. Let’s take a look at the effects of stress on our bodies.
The Effects of Stress On Our Health and Bodies
In a hindsight, stress is the gap between what you control and cannot control. A stressful afternoon might not have an immediate effect on your body. However, if you have bottled emotions and are prone to a panic attack, this can harm your body.
During brain scans conducted on people who were under stress, the brain releases chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline. These two chemicals help to regulate or help the body function, however, a high dosage of which can increase blood pressure to pump blood in the organs. Not only does stress release these toxins but it can also increase blood sugar levels which can lead to diabetes.
On top of the illnesses, you develop over time, those who are exposed to chronic stress are prone to mood swings and anxiety attacks, gravely affecting their mental health. During one experiment on rats subjected to aggression shows that stress can kill brain cells, and worst, shrink it.
People subjected to stress deals with it differently, oftentimes, in the most extreme ways. While some might lose their appetite, others will resort to food bingeing. Others might run to their own caves shutting away everyone else. The worst way stress affects our behavior is an addiction to alcohol, cigarette or drugs.
Stress Management
Here are some steps for stress management
1. Label them. The first step to cure is a diagnosis. Identify the triggers of your stress for you to manage it accordingly.
2. Feel your feelings. A good cry could often help. The more bottled emotions you have, the harder they are to handle.
3. Feed your frame. You are spiritually and emotionally stress because your body is tired. Try to eat healthy balanced meals.
4. Meditate. Practice those relaxation techniques.
5. Rest. Go on vacation like the mountain.
6. Find your friends. A support group is one of the best ways to alleviate your burden.
7. Exercise regularly and shake off those tense muscles.
8. Have enough sleep.
9. Engage in your hobbies and find activities that you can divert your attention to.
10. Seek professional help, if necessary.
The Bottom Line
Too much stress causes burnout, even to the best of us. Stress is usually triggered by situations that are out of our control. Surrender the things you can’t control. We expect too much from this world that we fail to appreciate the little things in life. Find happiness in the ordinary. See things in a different light. Get out of the cave you are hiding from and conquer your mountain one step at a time.
