Strategies To Manage Stress – STRESS IS GOOD

‘Stress’- A word that describes all the problems of a person with a sigh!

Being in stress has become a common phenomenon now in both adults and children. Feeling stressed is completely normal but the way we have perceived it’s meaning has always made us think in the negative way denying its positive attributes

But did you know?

According to experts, ‘stress is a burst of energy that basically advises you on what to do. In small doses, stress has many advantages. For instance, stress can help you meet daily challenges and motivates you to reach your goals. In fact, stress can help you accomplish tasks more efficiently. It can even boost memory.’

Stress is also a vibrant warning system, producing a fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, the senses suddenly have a laser-like focus so you can avoid physically stressful situations — such as jumping away from a moving car — and be safe.”

While we have traditionally considered stress harmful to our health, a new understanding has turned things upside down.

Benefits of Stress

• There are various health benefits with a little bit of stress. Stanfort.edu mentions that researchers believe that some stress can help to fortify the immune system.
• For instance, stress can improve how your heart works and protect your body from infection.
• In one study, individuals who experienced moderate levels of stress before surgery were able to recover faster than individuals who had low or high levels.
• The right levels of stress can dramatically fortify your ability to fight infection, prevent cancer, and live longer.

Stress is the trash of modern life – we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life – Danzae Pace

Let me tell you a story…

One day, a psychology professor entered the classroom with half a glass of water in his hand.  As she raised the glass of water the students expected the old common question “was it half empty or half full?” But to their surprise, he asked them “How heavy is this glass of water I’m holding?”

The answers ranged from eight ounces to couple pounds. Then the professor replied ‘the actual weight of the glass with water doesn’t always matter but how long you hold the glass is what matters.’

‘If I hold the glass for a minute, I won’t feel much weight. But if I hold it for 10 minutes, I will feel a little more weight and it will get heavier for me with hours.’

‘If I hold it for the entire day, my hands would go numb and paralyzed forcing me to drop the glass. Similar is the case when you carry stress with you. If you think about it for a while nothing happens; the problem arises when you think about it for hours and hours and just don’t let go.’

“Stress – the confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body basic desire to choke the living daylights out of somebody who desperately needs it.’’

In medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure).

What are the sources of stress?

• Big stressors include money troubles, job issues, relationship conflicts, and major life changes, such as the loss of a loved one.
• Smaller stressors, such as long daily commutes and rushed mornings, can also add up over time.

Some of the behavioral signs that you’re stressed are:

• Depression or anxiety, irritability
• Frequent colds and infections
• Problems with your memory and concentration
• Insomnia
• Increased use of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes
• Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities

Chronic stress, or a constant stress experienced over a prolonged period of time, can contribute to long-term problems for heart and blood vessels. The consistent and ongoing increase in heart rate, and the elevated levels of stress hormones and of blood pressure, can take a toll on the body.

According to a recent survey:

• The ‘2018 Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey – Future Assured’, conducted by Cigna TTK Health Insurance, show that stress levels are higher in Indian compared with other developed and emerging countries, including the United States, the UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia.
• Females reported significantly higher levels of stress than males (60% vs. 41%).
• Over 50% of people from India said they are not spending sufficient time with friends or have enough time for hobbies. The dip in family well-being is mostly due to growing concerns about the ability to financially support parents and children.
• With 65 % of U.S. employees citing work as a significant source of stress and more than one-third reporting chronic work stress, workplace stress can affect both individual well-being and organizational performance.

How can you make your stress positive?

First of all, we need to accept that stress is part of life. We just have to keep our problems in proper perspective. If something is bothering you too much just share it with somebody like your parents, friends, or spouse. Every cloud has a silver lining so look for the positive aspects.

Here are some tips to help you relieve stress.

1. Try to keep a positive attitude.
2. Learn to be assertive instead of aggressive.
3. Practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi for stress management.
4. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. So, keep exercising! Look for stress buster games or toys.
5. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
6. Find a place to comfortably sit or lie down, and close your eyes if you can.
7. Spend the first minute being aware of your body and getting comfortable.
8. Notice the physiology of the stress response in your body.
9. Say to yourself there is a positive side to stress.
10. Laughing helps to reduce heart diseases, improves breathing, decreases stress, and makes you look young.
11. Try to be happy always, happiness is your personal decision.

‘If you don’t feel it, flee from it. Go where you are celebrated not merely tolerated’.