Despite popular belief, stress alone won’t be the death of you. However, if left unchecked, it can significantly impair both your physical and emotional well-being. This article delves into understanding the impact of stress and how to manage it effectively.
The Misconception Around Stress
Although frequently used in a negative context, stress, in itself, is not a harbinger of doom. In fact, it’s your body’s natural response to any event or situation that requires a reaction or change. However, if not managed correctly, the prolonged exposure to stress can lead to severe health consequences.
The Nature of Stress
Stress, as experienced by humans, comes in two forms – good stress and bad stress. Both trigger a “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline into your body. This results in increased heart rate and blood pressure, triggering changes in almost every bodily system, including the immune system, digestive system, and the brain.
The Impact of Stress
While a surge of cortisol can be beneficial in some circumstances – such as when it motivates you to meet a deadline, chronic, or long-term, stress does not offer the same advantages. Excessive cortisol over an extended period can be harmful, leading to serious health issues.
Stress and Its Implications
Although stress in itself is not lethal, it can cause damage leading to premature death, as per Dr. Patricia Celan, a psychiatry resident at Dalhousie University, Canada. This damage could range from cardiovascular issues to promoting unhealthy habits, such as smoking and alcohol misuse.
Recognising the Effects of Stress
Stress can manifest in various physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Physical signs can include headaches, muscle aches, and chest pain, while digestive issues could range from stomach discomfort to indigestion and diarrhea. On the emotional front, you may find it hard to concentrate or make decisions and may become irritable, anxious, or depressed.
Coping Mechanisms
While you might not be able to alter the circumstances that are causing you stress, you can certainly learn to manage its effects. Here’s how you can do so:
Immediate Measures
- Deep Breathing: Breathing deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, can immediately help manage stress.
- Mindfulness Routines: Utilize apps like Calm or The Mindfulness App to guide you through mindfulness routines.
Long-term Measures
- Meditation or Breathing Techniques: Regularly practicing meditation or deep breathing can significantly reduce stress.
- Exercising: Regular exercise not only improves your mood but also your overall health.
- Positive Journaling: Writing down positive things that happened during the day can help reduce stress.
Long-term Consequences of Unchecked Stress
If left unchecked, long-term stress can have a severe impact on both your physical and mental health. High levels of cortisol can damage the body in various ways over time. It can affect mental functions, weaken the immune system, making fighting off infections more difficult, and increase a person’s risk for mental illnesses like depression.
Seeking Professional Help
In some cases, self-help strategies might not be sufficient to control or significantly reduce your stress levels. In such scenarios, it is advisable to seek professional help, who may recommend therapy or medication to help relieve symptoms.
Finding a Provider
If you’re struggling with stress, you can find a suitable mental health specialist through a primary healthcare provider or online mental health directories like Psychology Today or GoodTherapy.