Stress – What It Is, And How To Handle It Every Day Cleverly

“Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there.’” – Eckhart Tolle

Unfortunately, there are many times when stress creeps in and causes great angst; it is the number one cause of most health problems today; we all experience it at one time or another. If not dealt with, it can hinder your life, but how to manage the stress in your life quickly and effectively? Below is all about stress, what it is, and how to handle it every day cleverly.

Stress: What Is It?

“Stress should be a powerful driving force, not an obstacle.” – Bill Phillips

Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand; it’s a state of mental conditioning like taking that bitter pill down your throat, a feeling of emotional or physical tension, causing you to lose your sense of self and, worse, your sanity. Events or thoughts that make you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous trigger the stress.
Our physiological response to stress manifests itself in our bodies by producing stimulants and other stress hormones, which act as mood-altering devices, making us much less conscious of physical and mental pain. Coping with life and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness you can bring once you head out that door. You can’t blame them for being like that; they have their reasons, much like our reasons for allowing stress to weigh us down.

How To Recognize The Signs Of Stress?

“Stress, anxiety, and depression are caused when we are living to please others.” – Paulo Coelho

We always subject ourselves to stress; we need some stress at work and in our daily lives. Stress is a positive force when it invigorates your life and enables you to realize your dreams. So, the more, the better, then? Think about it momentarily; just as we need oxygen in the air we breathe to survive, pure oxygen will kill us. So it is with stress; we need some, but at what point does stress become destructive, and how do we recognize the signs before it becomes a severe problem? Check the following lists and be honest with yourself: upset stomach, stomach pains, loss of appetite, severe headaches, dizziness, irritability, a nervous tick or blinking, insomnia, chronic fatigue, pain in the neck and shoulders, and back, stiff neck and shoulders or back, teeth grinding, poor focus and memory.
How you feel can indicate signs of stress, too; look for the following: anxiety, depression, frustration, hustled, overloaded, pressure, tension, worried. Identifying stress at the early stages makes treating it much easier, especially if you act quickly on the problems causing it.

How Is It Affecting Us?

“It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” – Hans Selye

When we experience stress in some part of the body, that part of the body sends a message to the brain via the nerves. Then it passes through the reticular activating system either from or to the limbic system or the thalamus. The limbic system is like the storehouse of our emotions, to which the thalamus acts like a trigger or a switch, determining what to do with the incoming signals sent by the body, thus, activating the hypothalamus, which in turn, will start the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system.

Another way the brain will respond to a stressor is by activating a part of the brain known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA system). The HPA will start producing and releasing glucocorticoids, i.e., steroid hormones, including the primary stress hormone cortisol. This hormone is essential in marshaling systems throughout the body to deal quickly with stress. When the body copes with stress, it produces by-products that lead to physiological reactions, illness, and disease, known as psychosomatic diseases (psyche means mind; soma means body) and psychogenic diseases. 

Stress can cause severe illness, and even if it doesn’t go on to do that, it can make you thoroughly miserable. Stress hormones are potent and have side effects that can kill you, and becomes a bad thing when it reaches a level beyond which you feel in control when you feel tense, tired, and uncomfortable.

How To Handle The Stress?

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” – Mark Black

Coping with stress can be challenging. Every day you seem pulled in every direction, trying to accommodate others. Let’s explore ways to deal with the stress in your life healthily and effectively.

* Talk about problems. Sharing the issues you are experiencing with friends, loved ones, or a professional will make you feel better.

* Exercise often. Go to the park and walk for 20-30 minutes either every day or every other day. Exercise release endorphins which relieve tension and produces a calming effect.

* Listen to music. Listen to some classical or instrumental music. Ocean or nature sounds are a perfect way to release stress.

* Healthy meals. Ensure you eat three meals daily, and avoid too much caffeine and sugar; it can become an essential factor in limiting stress. 

* Sleep deprivation can cause stress. Go to bed early. Seven to eight hours of sleep can make all the difference.

* Give yourself a break now and then. Buy a new outfit; go to a movie; do something you’ve always wanted.

* Laughter is a beautiful release. The tension released through laughter is the best remedy for stress-related problems.

* Managing time. Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.

* Changing your negative thinking. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.

* Build healthy coping strategies. Work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones that help you.

* Improve your communication skills. Good communication reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. 

* Take a hot bath in the evening. It is essential to relieve your body’s tension before going to bed.

Allow yourself some personal time daily, a private moment for peace, quiet, and contemplation. Imagine how much less stressed this would make you feel.

In Conclusion

“No one can make you a victim without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Every day, in every walk of life, we encounter stress. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible by taking everything in stride. If you can’t finish a task, don’t worry about it. Nothing is more important than your health or state of mind; it is, after all, up to you. Find something that makes you smile or laugh out loud. Laughter is the answer to stress because it’s hard to be stressed and anxious when you’re having fun!

Remember that most people are doing the best that they can. Find it within yourself to be tolerant and understanding. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.
Please feel free to leave a comment about how you deal with stress in your life and your efforts to do so.
Or if you have more questions or need help, I am always happy to help.