We all face stressful situations in our daily lives. Prolonged stress, on the other hand, can have serious emotional and physical consequences. Taking action or being proactive to reduce stress levels can be difficult at times.
Stress is a common reaction that people have when things change in their lives. Yale University researchers discovered that stress reduces the volume of grey matter in areas of the brain responsible for self-control. This means that stress can make it difficult to deal with future stress because it reduces your ability to control the situation.
That is why stress management is essential. According to Dr. Minakshi Manchanda, Associate Director of Psychiatry at Asian Hospital, stress management is a top priority because it can prevent unexpected stress from causing harm.
“Stress can have an impact on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Though we can cope with stress, when it exceeds a certain threshold, various symptoms emerge. The pituitary gland actively deals with problems in the hypothalamus region of the brain. Stress causes the release of chemicals such as cortisol. There is either a fight or a flight response in this. We can deal with that problem if enough cortisol is produced. It’s similar to fighting. If we are unable to deal with it, the brain goes into flight mode “Dr. Manchanda explained.
HOW STRESS AFFECTS THE BODY
• Frequent headaches
• Muscle tension
• Body pain
• Inexplicable fatigue
• Stomach problems
• Bloating and acidity
• Either too much sleep or no sleep at all
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Unable to concentrate on any task
• Crying and irritability
• Anger and negative thoughts
HOW TO MANAGE STRESS?
The good news is that the brain has the ability to shape, change, and rebuild damaged areas as you practise new behaviours. Implementing a healthy stress-relief routine should train your brain to deal with stress effectively and reduce symptoms in the near future.
Breathing exercises: Perform some breathing exercises to relax your body and muscles. Massage, meditation, yoga, music therapy, aromatherapy, and other relaxation techniques can also be used.
Learn to say no: Most people overcommit to tasks, resulting in an overload of work. Saying no allows you to improve the outcomes of all the projects you are already working on.
Increase social interaction: Dr. Manchanda suggests interacting when under stress. It is critical to discuss your problems or happy moments with friends, family members, or close relatives.
Hobbies: “Do things that make you happy,” Dr. Manchanda advised. Know what your hobbies are and pursue them because they will help you forget about your stressful situation and unburden your mind.
Diet and sleep: It all comes down to diet and sleep. Eat regularly and get at least 8-10 hours of sleep per day.
