Stress Management and Mental Health
In this technologically advanced world, a person has a lot of things to deal with which include work and family, which creates a lot of stress in their minds. The pressure of work and family is such that no person can escape from it. These are followed by stress, which affects the mental health, of a person.
Sometimes it might feel as if you cannot do anything about the stress which makes living difficult for you. No wonder with great responsibilities comes great stress. The pressure in your life deviates you from taking care of your mental health and pushes you to the edge of grave mental disorders.
If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional stability, as well as your overall physical and mental health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. Extreme levels of stress release a hormone called ‘cortisol’ also known as ‘stress hormone.’ Abundant release of this hormone can lead to a wide array of adverse effects on your health such as high blood pressure, increased heart rate, diabetes, anxiety, depression, etc.
Work and family responsibilities will always be there, but you have to learn to manage stress and take necessary measures for the betterment of your mental well-being. Stress and tension take a toll on your brain which can destroy your mind’s stability completely. Stress management is your savior in these bad times, it can save you from deteriorating mental and physical health. In this blog, we will discuss in detail, what is stress management and how to manage it.
What are The Different Types of Stress?
There are three types of stress, that can make your life a living hell in this world, these are:
Acute Stress: Acute stress results from your body’s reaction to a new or challenging situation. It’s that feeling you get from an approaching deadline or when you narrowly avoid being hit by a car. You can even experience it as a result of something you enjoy. Like an exhilarating ride on a roller coaster or an outstanding personal achievement. Acute stress is classified as short-term. Usually, emotions and the body return to their normal state relatively soon.
Episodic Stress: Episodic stress is when acute stresses happen on a frequent basis. This can be because of repeatedly tight work deadlines. It can also be because of the frequent high-stress situations experienced by some professionals, such as healthcare workers. With this type of stress, we don’t get time to return to a relaxed and calm state. And the effects of the high-frequency acute stresses accumulate. It often leaves us feeling like we are moving from one crisis to another.
Chronic stress: Chronic stress is the result of continuous issues for a long period of time. Dealing with continuous dangers that might put your and your family’s life at risk, witnessing events, that might traumatize you. Examples include living in a high-crime neighborhood or constantly fighting with your life partner, or witnessing accidents that might cause a blood bath.
What is Stress Management?
Stress management can be defined as a procedure or a variety of techniques, strategies, and therapies, that help you in keeping your stress levels under control. Stress management provides a pathway to maintain overall health and anxiety.
Stress releases cortisol hormones which are bad for your mental and physical health, and might lead to problems such as headaches, chest pain, fatigue, insomnia, as well as depression.
In this manner, controlling stress can limit the release of these hormones for better functioning in everyday activities. The technique of managing stress can lead to a happier and healthier life.
Stress is an integral part of a human being and completely getting rid of it is almost impossible. But there are ways and means which are aimed at helping you to limit stress for better functionality.
Why is Stress Management Important?
An effective way of managing stress helps reduce the impact that stress might have on your life. It can lead to great health difficulties if not managed and controlled properly. The threat it can pose to your health includes obesity, heart disease, depression, diabetes, etc. This weakens your immune system and forms a pathway for more diseases that might or might not be contagious to enter your body. Result-oriented stress management techniques are highly valuable and should be done without the use of harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, etc. which are stimulants that might give you temporary relief or act as an escape for a short duration of time but pose greater threats to your mental and physical wellness in the long run.
Techniques For Stress Management
There are different methods for effective stress management. However, in case you face serious mental issues due to stress, it is best advisable to consult a mental healthcare professional.
Physical Exercise: Exercising on a consistent basis is an effective stress buster. Endorphin is the body’s natural mood lift and it facilitates good sleep. The two promote less stress as a result. You should choose an enjoyable activity; whether it’s walking fast, yoga, or going to the gym.
Meditation: Mindfulness is defined as focusing on being in the present at the current moment with no evaluation of what is real or not. On a regular basis, this practice can decrease stress and bring about calmness and consciousness. One can take deep breaths and do body scanning exercises as part of a daily routine.
Time Management: Proper planning and controlling time in a day can keep one from feeling overburdened. Set priorities, divide big problems into sub-items, and delegate wherever necessary. Goals and deadlines should be set realistically, as this helps to feel more in control and less stressed.
Healthy Lifestyle: This is where leading a healthy life becomes very important in combating stress. Such an approach would involve the consumption of low-fat diets, sufficient sleeping hours, moderation in drinking alcoholic beverages, and avoidance of high intakes of caffeinated drinks. By eating a good diet and resting enough, one’s body is in a better position to cope with stressful situations.
Social Support: Stress management also involves developing and fostering solid social ties. Perspective, empathy, and support can be gained by talking to friends family, or therapists. Sharing social experiences, as well as building a feeling of being included and decreasing a feeling of loneliness.
Counselor: It is best to seek the help of a counselor, who is a trained and qualified professional in this field. A professional mental health care specialist has extensive knowledge and experience about stress management and mental wellbeing and can help you cope safely, with the adverse effects that stress might have on your mental and physical health.
Stress can completely wreck your mind and body. It is your responsibility to take care of your well-being, whether it is physical or mental. For a happier and healthier, it is best to follow a disciplined lifestyle which includes, practicing techniques that keep your stress under control. This will help you focus and perform well in your daily activities, as well as maintain a good work-life balance. If you feel helpless, consult a reliable and trusted mental health counselor, for a more professional and result-oriented approach.
