Stress is an omnipresent reality of modern life. It manifests in numerous ways, influenced by an individual’s personality, lifestyle, and the nature of the stressor. In today’s fast-paced society, people often face relentless demands from work, family, and social obligations.
While short-term stress can be beneficial, driving motivation and productivity, chronic stress can have devastating effects on health. Understanding how stress impacts the body and mind is crucial in recognizing the importance of effective stress management techniques.
Chronic stress
When stress begins to interfere with your ability to live a normal life for a prolonged period, it becomes increasingly hazardous. Chronic stress impacts both your mind and body.
The persistent activation of the stress response system and the resulting overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt nearly all of your body’s functions. Chronic stress can also impinge on the body’s immune system, with the consequence of making recovery from illnesses harder.
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for mental health. Persistent stress affects brain function, particularly in areas involved in mood regulation and memory. Cognitive functions are also impacted by stress. Stress in fact impairs cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision-making. It can lead to difficulties in concentrating and can negatively impact academic or work performance. Chronic stress also manifests by experiencing fatigue or even irritability without a clear cause.
Strategies to deal with stress
Lowering your stress levels can improve your immediate well-being and safeguard your long-term health. Consequently, researchers suggest increasing your positive emotions -such as happiness, joy, contentment, and enthusiasm – by dedicating time to enjoyable activities each day.
Identify the sources of your stress – Keep track of your mental state throughout the day. When you feel stressed, note the cause, your thoughts, and your mood. Once you understand what’s troubling you, create a plan to address it. This could involve setting more realistic expectations for yourself and others or seeking help with household chores, work tasks, or other responsibilities. Make a list of all your commitments, evaluate your priorities, and eliminate any non-essential tasks.
Cultivate strong relationships – While relationships can sometimes be a source of stress, they can also act as stress buffers. Connect with family members or close friends and let them know you’re struggling. They may provide practical help and support, valuable advice, or simply a new perspective as you work through the issues causing your stress.
Ensure you get sufficient rest – Aim to get enough sleep by reducing caffeine intake, eliminating distractions like televisions or computers from your bedroom, and maintaining a consistent bedtime each night.
Conclusion
Managing stress is crucial for maintaining overall health. If you feel you need help, consult with a therapist who can help you identify, understand and manage your stress.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Alessandro Giuliano is a warranted psychotherapist at Willingness, working with clients experiencing a range of difficulties including anxiety, depression and relationship issues. Alessandro has a Master’s degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy and a University Certificate in Psychology from the University of Derby (UK).
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