Stress is our body’s natural response (physical or mental) to an external cause, e.g. change, pressure or danger. It is typically short-term and caused by an external trigger or threat. Once the trigger has stopped, stress will typically disappear. Back in the caveman days, stress was quite useful, it helped humans escape predators.
Now we have evolved, and your brain doesn’t exactly know the difference between running from a lion, preparing for a big exam or speaking in front of a large audience.
It still releases cortisol( the stress hormone) and adrenaline, hormones which make your heart race, your muscles tense, and your thoughts spiral.
Here are 7 reasons why you feel so stressed.
7 Reasons Why You Feel So Stressed
1. Academic and work pressure: Exams, assignments, the fear of failure and the fear of not living up to expectations can weigh you down.
2. Lack of money.
3. Bereavement: The loss of a loved one triggers a complex emotional response which can manifest physically and mentally through feelings of sadness, anger, and a sense of disruption to one’s life, leading to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
4. Family problems and relationships.
5. Illness.
6. Social pressures: The constant need to conform to certain expectations can often lead to anxiety about not meeting those standards, which can manifest as feelings of inadequacy or an inferiority complex, impacting mental health and causing stress.
7. Lifestyle choices: Lack of sleep, exercise, and improper nutrition can cause stress or make stress worse. Your brain needs fuel (food) and rest (sleep), and when it doesn’t get them, it throws a tantrum in the form of stress, anxiety and mood swings.
SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
The emotional effects of stress includes:
1. Anger
2. Sadness
3. Fatigue
4. Forgetfulness
5. Concentration issues
6. Restlessness
7. Irritability
8. Nail biting
The physical effects of stress can include:
1. Headaches
2. Pain in the chest or back
3. Fainting
4. Nervous twitches
5. Muscle spasms
6. Sweating
Prolonged episodes of stress could lead to severe complications, which can include:
- Depression
- Heart diseases
- High blood pressure
- Reduced immune function
- Sleeping difficulties
HOW TO MANAGE STRESS
Noticing the signs of stress in your body is the first step in managing it. Furthermore, certain lifestyle measures can help manage stress or prevent stress-induced symptoms.
1. This might sound very cliché, but move your body regularly either by walking, dancing or jogging. You’d be surprised at how fast you’d be feeling better.
2. Try to maintain a routine- that can be quite hard, especially for people who are used to freelancing the activities in their day but when every other thing seems uncontrollable, routines can give you a sense of control.
3. It is very easy to get into a negative headspace when you’re struggling with stress. You could start thinking about hurtful things to yourself, which would further worsen the stress. In these moments, try to be kind to yourself.
4. Certain foods are known to regulate hormones, increase energy levels and even put you in a better mood altogether, so eating healthily and drinking lots of water can help support your body in times of stress.
5. Be wary of unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking. Although they might provide temporary relief, they can also cause long-term addictions and worse mental health problems.
6. Reduce your caffeine intake- coffee, tea, and energy drinks contain caffeine which stimulates your central nervous system. Consuming them might make you feel energetic and active, but consuming too much may worsen anxiety, harm your sleep and increase stress symptoms.
Final Dose:
Symptoms of stress are often overlooked but prolonged stress could have devastating effects on an individual’s health in the long run.
Have you ever been stressed to the point where it becomes difficult for you to fall asleep?