Stress

What is Stress?

Stress is a physiological and psychological response to a perceived threat or demand. It is the body’s natural reaction to a challenging or threatening situation, whether real or imagined. It can be acute, chronic or traumatic.

How to know that you are under claws of the evil – “Stress”?

The primary indicators of accumulated stress include following symptoms:

  • Unexplained physical pain anywhere in body.
  • Increased heart rate, shallow breathing
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Sleep disturbances (either too much or too little)
  • Poor immune function and increased susceptibility to illness.
  • Disturbed digestive function.
  • Changes in appetite (either overeating or very low appetite)
  • Significant weight gain or weight loss.
  • Fatigue, feeling lethargic.
  • Low stamina
  • Muscular weakness and cramps
  • Emotional distress and relationship issues
  • Emotional and behavioral changes, social withdrawal
  • Difficulty concentrating and cognitive impairment
  • Slow recovery from any illness, injury or surgery
  • Decreased Libido

What stress does to our body?

Stress activates our sympathetic nervous system (Flight or fight response) which is tolerable once in a while. But if we are dealing with stress every day, then functioning of our brain is compromised. Critical parts of the brain tend to slow down! Chronic stress can have a significant impact on various systems of the body.

  • The body’s stress response involves the release of stress-hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol.

  • Stress leads to imbalances in hormones and neurotransmitters like serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrene.

  • Prolonged exposure to stress can result in adrenal fatigue.
  • Stress slows down body’s default healing mechanism and disturbs normal metabolism.
  • Chronic stress can lead to conditions such as migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, infections, PMS, diabetes, thyroid issues, inflammation and ulcers, increased of brain related diseases etc.

Managing and reducing stress levels is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing the development of stress-related disorders.

Though Stress can be very debilitating, good news is that it can be effectively managed by certain tools and techniques mostly, just from comfort of your home.

  • Counselling– Undergoing Personalized/ Family counselling with a certified counsellor can help an individual to manage her problem.
  • Behavioral therapies like CBT can an excellent tool.
  • Different coping strategies such as  5-4-3-2-1 method, Yin-yang method, relaxation techniques
  • Mindfulness practices-Daily journaling, Affirmations, Mindfulness mediation and instilling attitude of gratitude collectively can make a significant positive shift on our subconscious mind, thereby uplifting mental health.
  • Holistic lifestyle approach including Yogic management, dietary recommendations, Sun therapy etc.
  • Supplementation– Dietary supplements like Vit C, Vit D, magnesium, Vit B 12, Vit B6, Herbs like Brahmi, Shanskhapushpi, Ashwagandha etc (taken under recommendation of medical practitioner) can aid in alleviating stress related symptoms.
ॐ..सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे संतु निरामया।
सर्वे भद्राणि पशयन्त्तु , मा कश्चित् दुःख भागभवेत्।।
Blog Credits:
Mouli  Karmakar (Founder- ABHYUDAYAM)