Overview:
Everyone feels stress at times. People may go through all kinds of stressful situations that can be part of everyday life. Low-level stress can be helpful or motivating. A lot of things can be done to help deal with stressful events, and simple steps can be taken to deal with feelings of stress, tension, or exhaustion.
Stress:
It is the feeling of abnormal tension. This stress can be due to different aspects of the day (e.g., workload, transitional period, family arguments or new and existing financial concerns). During these situations, you may feel upset, and the body may create a stress response, anxiety, and irritability. This can cause a variety of physical symptoms, change the way you act, and lead you to experience more intense feelings. Stress can affect you in many ways, both physically and emotionally, and to varying degrees.
Possible causes of stress:
Stress affects people differently, and the causes of stress differ from person to another. The level of stress that you feel comfortable with may be higher or lower than the level of other people around you. Stressful feelings usually occur when we feel that we do not have the resources to manage the challenges we face. Stress at work, school or home, illness, or difficult or sudden life events can lead to stress. Some possible causes include:
- Individual genes, upbringing, and experience.
- Difficulties in personal life and relationships.
- Major or unexpected life changes (such as moving house, having a baby, or starting to take care of someone).
- Financial difficulties (e.g., debt or struggle to afford daily necessities).
- Health problems of the person or close to him.
- Pregnancy and children.
- Housing problems.
- Difficult or turbulent work environment.
- Feeling lonely and unsupported.
- Loss in all its forms, whether it is a dear person, a job, etc.
Symptoms of stress:
Stress can cause many different symptoms, and this can affect how you feel physically and mentally, as well as the way you act.
Physical symptoms:
- Headache or dizziness.
- Muscle stiffness or pain.
- Stomach problems.
- Chest pain or increased heart rate.
- Sexual problems.
Mental symptoms:
- Difficulty concentrating.
- You find it difficult to make decisions.
- Feeling exhausted.
- Constant anxiety.
- Forgetting.
Changes in behavior:
- Being irritable.
- Too little or too much sleep.
- Too little or too much eating.
- Avoid places or people.
- Smoking, drug use and drinking alcohol.
When to see a doctor:
- When feeling any psychological change.
- When a trauma, disaster, or any cause of psychological pressure occurs.
- Not controlling stress, which impedes social life.
Prolonged stress:
Excessive or prolonged stress can lead to physical problems. This can include lowered levels of immunity, digestive and bowel difficulties, for example irritable bowel syndrome, or mental health issues (e.g., depression). This means that it is important to manage stress and maintain It is at a healthy level to prevent long-term damage to the body and mind.
General Tips to manage stress:
Relieve stress: It is not always possible to escape a stressful situation or avoid the problem, but you can try to reduce stress by assessing whether the stressful situation can be changed, perhaps by letting go of some responsibility, relaxing your standards, or asking for help.
Social support: Strong social support can improve resilience to stressors. Some friends or family members may be good at listening, so try to get help from the closest people.
Seek good nutrition: When faced with stress, the central nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which affects the digestive system. Acute stress can kill appetite, but the release of cortisol during chronic stress can cause cravings for fat and sugar.
Muscle relaxation: Since stress causes muscle tension, stress can lead to back pain and general fatigue, so it is preferable to combat stress and these symptoms through stretching exercises, massages, warm showers, or the experience of gradual muscle relaxation, which is a method proven to reduce anxiety and improve health. mentality in general.
Maintaining a peaceful sleep: Stress during the day affects sleep at night, as the loss of rest may affect perception and mood.
Physical fitness: Not only can regular physical activity improve sleep, but it can also directly combat stress.
Maintaining interesting activities and hobbies: When life becomes difficult, people often leave their recreational activities first, but isolating oneself from pleasure may lead to counterproductive results, so it is necessary to look for opportunities to do interesting hobbies and activities.
Ask for help: When you're feeling overwhelmed and self-help doesn't help, find a psychologist or other mental health provider who can help you learn how to manage stress effectively.