Stress is an inevitable element of life that can significantly affect mental well-being and physical condition. It can manifest itself as anxiety, irritability, fatigue and even depression. Stress can also be beneficial, motivating you to act or perform better in different situations. However, too much stress can be detrimental to overall health and well-being.
What is stress
Stress is a term used to describe both physical and mental strain. The reasons may be different. They are related to work, relationships, events from everyday life. Stress affects each person in a different way. Some feel anxious, others may feel overwhelmed or exhausted.
The most common definition of stress is “the body’s response to all demands placed on it.” This reaction usually results in increased heart rate and blood pressure and other physiological changes, such as increased sweating and muscle tension. These reactions support taking action, they are supposed to strongly motivate. The more relevant the task is for a person, the more stress can occur. There are times when a certain degree of pressure actually helps motivate yourself to achieve goals faster than if you were to do the activity in a completely relaxed state.
Symptoms of stress
The physical symptoms of stress are often the most noticeable. These include headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, chest pain, severe sweating and difficulty sleeping. In addition to physical symptoms, there are also psychological effects, which are especially evident during prolonged periods of stress. These are, for example, anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse.
How to deal with stress
To reduce the effects of stress in life, it is necessary to determine what triggers this type of sensation. This allows you to create a strategy for better dealing with them. For the most part, this means making lifestyle changes: getting enough sleep every night, eating healthy meals during the day on a regular basis.
The first step towards coping with stress is to recognize its signs quickly enough. Common symptoms include difficulty sleeping, headaches, muscle tension, and changes in appetite or mood. The next step should be to find ways to reduce the pressure that is felt as a result of daily activities. Regular breaks during the day for relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation) may be helpful. It is good to set realistic goals, without exaggeration. Therapeutically working conversations about problems with friends or family members. A great way to relieve emotions is regular physical training, healthy eating.
Individual approach
It should be borne in mind that everyone deals with stressful situations differently. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Careful observation of oneself allows us to become aware of what reactions occur under pressure. It’s good to pay attention to what causes a sense of relief. It can be support from loved ones or a complete stranger. The result of the search may be, for example, establishing personal boundaries between work and private life and developing the ability to cope with difficult situations.