Is stress affecting your life? (Stress) - Let's talk about this

Are you also tired of everything these days, getting angry at even the smallest things, and feeling tired all the time? Today we are going to talk about something that affects all of our lives to some extent, but we do not fully understand it. That is 'stress', or as we say in Sinhala, mental tension . This is a normal part of our lives. But if we cannot control it, it can have a big impact on our health.

'Good' stress and 'bad' stress - what's the difference?

First, let's understand this. Not all stress is bad. Imagine that you have an important exam or a job interview. At that time, you feel a little nervous, a little scared, right? That kind of stress is actually good. It prepares us, keeps us alert, and gives us the strength to face a challenge.

But the problem is when this stress is continuous and unrelenting. Problems at work, family life, financial problems, etc. leave your mind without any rest. That's what we call chronic stress . This is the enemy that silently damages our health.

How does our body respond to stress?

Simply put, our bodies are designed to respond to emergencies. Imagine that you are walking down the street and suddenly a car is speeding towards you. Your body immediately goes into overdrive. Your heart rate increases, your breathing quickens, and your muscles tighten. This is because your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol . This is called the ' fight-or-flight response' .

This is very important to save lives in an emergency. But the problem is, our bodies behave this way even during the long-term stress we talked about earlier. Your brain doesn't make much difference between a problem at work and a car coming towards you. It reacts to both in the same way. So what happens if your body is in this 'emergency mode' all day, for weeks, for months? That's when diseases start to appear.

The effects of long-term stress: on the body and mind

Continuous stress can have various effects on our body and mind. Sometimes we may even mistake these symptoms for other illnesses.

The problem is not stress, it's how we deal with it!

The important thing here is this. We may not be able to control stress. For example, we cannot change things like the economic situation of the country or the nature of work. But we can control our response to it.

Some people resort to wrong things when they can't handle the stress.

• Smoking.
• Addicted to alcohol.
• Eating too much, especially sweet and fatty foods.
• Spending money online unnecessarily.
• Turning to gambling.
• Or they are constantly getting into fights with others.

Remember, these things only make existing problems worse, not solve them. They only provide temporary relief. Therefore, we need to find healthy and positive ways to deal with stress.

Some simple ways to control stress

1. Exercise: Walk, run, bike, or play a sport you enjoy for at least 30 minutes a day. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, which are happy hormones. This is a great way to reduce stress.

2. Breathing Exercises: When you feel stressed, go to a quiet place, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale slowly for a count of 6. Doing this for a few minutes will provide you with a great sense of relief.

3. Get a good night's sleep: It's essential to get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep a day. Stop looking at your phone or TV an hour before bed and do something relaxing, like reading a book.

4. A balanced diet: Eat nutritious foods. Reduce sugary, oily fast foods as much as possible. Drink more fruits, vegetables, and clean water.

5. Talk to a trusted friend: Don't keep your problems bottled up inside. Talk to a trusted friend, spouse, or family member about what's on your mind. It can help relieve a lot of stress.

6. Time for yourself: Set aside a little time each day to do something you enjoy. It could be anything from listening to music, watching a movie, to doing a little gardening.

When should you see a doctor?

If, despite doing all of this, you still can't handle this mental stress, if it's severely affecting your daily life, work, or family life, don't hesitate to see a doctor.

In particular,

• If you feel like you can't get out of this situation on your own,
• If you have turned to alcohol or other drugs due to stress,
• If you have thoughts of harming yourself,
• If you experience physical symptoms such as frequent chest pain and severe headaches,

See your doctor immediately for advice. Sometimes it is important to check if there is another medical condition behind these physical symptoms. If your doctor wants to, he or she can refer you to a psychiatrist or counselor. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Just as taking medication for a physical illness, mental well-being is just as important.

Stress, stress, impact on health, stress management, mental health, healthy life