Have you faced symptoms like a change in appetite, lack of sleep, fatigue, or even digestive problems? — Stress could be the culprit! With hustle culture gaining popularity, it’s not uncommon to find many people dealing with various symptoms of stress. But here’s the thing, just because it may seem normal, doesn’t mean it's safe for the body. Juggling work, family, and social life can all have a negative impact on a person’s physical as well as mental well-being. Chronic stress can cause a variety of health issues and even disrupt your way of living. While at times it may seem like you’re helpless with no way of controlling your stress levels, the truth is that there are simple stress management techniques that can help calm your mind.

Keep on reading to find out more about this issue and the simple practices you can follow the next time you feel overwhelmed.

How does it work?

Ever wonder what goes on in your body when you’re tense? Stress is the body’s normal response to any potentially dangerous situation. When your brain goes into defense mode, it floods your body with various chemicals and hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This not only makes you feel energized but it also gets your heart pumping and increases focus. Now you’re probably wondering what’s so bad in this, right? Well, chronic stress, or rather these frequent surges can lead to issues like damaged blood vessels, high blood pressure, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and even put you at a higher risk of a stroke. This is why stress management techniques are vital.

Types of stress

If you thought there was just one type of stress, think again! There are different levels of stress with the 3 main ones being:

Acute stress

This type of stress happens to everyone and is the body’s natural reaction to new or challenging situations. For example, that gut feeling you get before going on stage or that thrill that runs through your body while on a rollercoaster. This type of stress is usually harmless and might even improve the body’s response to stressful situations in the future.

Episodic acute stress

When you start to experience frequent episodes of acute stress, it is called episodic acute stress. In this type of stress, the body and mind are often anxious about the future. This type of stress is common amongst firefighters or police officers.

Chronic stress

When you’re in a state of constant worry, it is known as chronic stress. If not taken care of, it can have negative effects on your overall health as it leads to issues like anxiety, cardiovascular disease, depression, low immunity, etc.

Symptoms of stress

Aside from the worrisome thoughts, some other common signs of stress are:

Stress management techniques

1. Exercise

One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that exercise is only for those who want to manage their weight. Physical activity can do more than just help you reach your weight goals, it can also have a positive effect on your mental health and is one of the most effective stress management techniques. Exercise improves blood flow through the body and also releases the feel-good hormone called endorphins. This not only reduces stress but also shifts your focus to your body movements.
Yoga and meditation are also effective stress management techniques.

2. Try new hobbies

Another stress management technique is finding relaxing hobbies that you love. Doing this for at least 20-30 minutes a day can help you feel good and relieve stress levels. If you need a little help, here are some things you can do:

3. Eating healthy counts

Your eating habits can do way more than just affect the number on your weighing scale. A healthy diet filled with essential nutrients can reduce levels of stress, strengthen your immune system, lower your blood pressure, etc. While junk food or foods rich in sugar seem more appetizing when you are overwhelmed, they can actually make things worse.

4. Sleep

Stress and lack of sleep is a vicious cycle. While it may be difficult to fall asleep when your stress levels are high, it is important to still get those 7 - 8 hours of sleep, daily. Following a sleep schedule can help improve your mood, reduce cortisol levels (stress hormone), improves concentration, sharpens decision-making, etc. If a certain stressful situation is causing you to lose sleep, you can try sleep supplements or sleep gummies like Nyumi Beauty Sleep Gummies to reduce stress and improve your sleep quality. These gummies also contain L-theanine which helps move you into a state of calm.

5. Deep breathing

Even though it may seem really simple, this stress management technique is highly effective. This stress relief practice sends more oxygen to the brain and calms the nervous system.

If you are looking for ways to reduce stress try belly breathing. All you need to do is sit in a comfortable position in a quiet room, close your eyes and place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Breathe in deeply through your nose until you feel your belly rise more than your chest. Exhale through your nose. Repeat this process for a couple of rounds and notice how your body relaxes.

6. Talk it out

Talking to someone about the stress-causing issue can reduce the built-up tension and help you see the problem more clearly and in turn find better solutions.

Let’s face it, in today’s world, we’re all plagued by stressful thoughts but that doesn’t mean we need to make this the new norm. Taking care of your mental, physical and emotional needs should be your top priority and the best way to start is by focusing on stress relief or stress management techniques.

Reference:

https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management

https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise-stress-relief#How-Does-Exercise-Help-With-Stress