There are a multitude of reasons why people are stressed in their daily lives. Some stress points are situational or can be more general, such as family, work, school, and personal relationships. Stress can be overwhelming to bear alone, and without helpful ways to manage it, it can wreak havoc on the mind and body.
Stress is a biochemical reaction to something that creates tension, be it emotional or physical. When we experience stress, our brain goes into “high alert” as it prepares our body to respond to whatever situation comes its way. In these moments, our body initiates a complex process, part of which is the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, essentially preparing the body to fight, flight or freeze.
While this process can save lives in truly dangerous situations, experiencing this stress reaction on an ongoing basis can have detrimental health consequences.
Stress responses are normal and can be very helpful. Stress helps us do well on tests or perform well at work. Stress helps us hit the brakes when a car in front of us suddenly stops. However, stress can also cause physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties, such as nausea, racing thoughts, irregular sleep, anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating.
If stress is not addressed, it can lead to serious health problems like obesity, substance use disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It is extremely important to monitor the responses you have to stress and find ways to better manage them. If you experience symptoms of stress, try using these practices to help:
• Set limits. Create reasonable limits to help with self-preservation. Say “no” when you feel overwhelmed. Be mindful of your mental health and open up conversations with family, friends, and even co-workers about what you can and can’t handle.
• Practice mindfulness. Be present in your environment. Be aware and know what makes you happy. Do something to make yourself happy that has no other purpose involved. Read the novel, play the video game, and watch the TV show – feel comfortable and at ease.
• Choose your environment. Connect with people: Be intentional about your surroundings. Have people around you who can make you feel capable of doing anything! Encouragement is a great tool for dealing with stress.
• Be kind to yourself. Remember that you are a human being and there is not much you can do. Give yourself and your brain a break. Understand that there are many people in similar stressful situations.
Once you begin to eliminate some of the stressors in your life and learn to be patient with your own process, you can begin to manage your stress in healthier ways. Take the time to connect with others and understand that the process of de-stressing is not always easy. If you’ve tried to better manage your stress but are still struggling, it may be time to contact a mental health professional. They can give you more tools on how to manage your stress and healthy tips for coping.
Megan Ragan is an assistant coordinator at Centerstone, a nonprofit health system that specializes in mental health and substance use disorder services.
