Stress is a general term used to define our condition when we feel overwhelmed, pressured, or that a certain scenario is “too much” to handle.

When we are stressed, the body feels threatened and releases stress hormones, with either good or bad results.

Good Or Bad

Let’s set one myth straight: stress is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. The release of the stress hormones adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine can result in a reaction called fight or flight mode. In this manner, one can experience physical changes that improve one’s strength, stamina, and focus. The fight or flight mode greatly helped our ancestors in surviving the harsh conditions of early civilizations. Up until this day these hormones still help us to conquer challenges and the conflicts that we face in our everyday lives, such as driving, job interviews, and work presentations.  However, when we don’t know how to handle stress effectively, it can turn into something destructive to our mind, body, and relationships.

Stressors

Causes of stress, also known as stressors, can vary from external to internal ones. External causes are those conditions that are out of control, such as major life changes, work or school, relationship difficulties, and financial problems. On the other hand, internal causes are deeply rooted within us, such as anxiety, pessimism, over-thinking, and perfectionism.

Some stressors are positive but still place a high demand on us, such as getting married, buying a house, and work promotions.

Handling Stress

Each of us has different ways of managing stress. Some people are resilient in  nature  and  can  handle  any  challenges  that  life  throws  at  them,  acknowledging a  high-stress   lifestyle   as   a   fuel   that   makes   them  a   better  individual. Alternatively,  there  are  people  who  tend  to  fall  apart  in  the  face  of  small obstacles.

Many of us try to cope with stress in ways that only add fuel to the fire: drinking too much, watching TV for hours, taking pills to relax, or venting our frustrations at other people.

There are many ways to manage stress that are both more effective and much healthier:

1. Being Aware Of Your Emotions

Sometimes, we become so used to a constant state of stress that we are in denial of this stress. We’ve allowed it to become a normal state.

However, the simple awareness that we are stressed can have a profound effect on our stress tolerance.  Being conscious  of  our  emotions  provides  us  with  a greater  chance  to  control  it.  When  stressed,  we  are  able  to  calm down, acknowledge the cause of stress, and deal with it – with less stress.

2. Social Network

Talking  to  our  friends  and  family  has  always  been  a  great way to reduce stress. Knowing that there is someone who can listen to us and understand our problems is a big step in helping us  bounce back to life.

On the other side, people who are lonely and have less social engagement are more vulnerable, and cope worse with stress.

3. Step Back

Take mental breaks and reflect. Stop for a day or a week, and try to look back. Perhaps you might want to reassess your values to make better decisions. (Read: 2 Things To Consider Before Making A Life-Changing Decision). Most of the time, we are just bombarded with work projects and major life changes. Simply clearing our thinking helps us to back track – and get back on track again.

4. Meditation And Outdoor Activities

A  distraction  from  our stressed-out  life helps  us  focus  on  what  is  really  important  to  us.  Meditation  or  physical activities  not  only  improve  our  health  but  also  relieve  stress  and  anxiety.  They help us to be mindful of what is in front of us, and grateful for what we already have.

5. Changing Your Attitude

Easier said than done, and not achieved overnight – but it is better to start now than later. Having a positive outlook in life gives us hope and the endurance to handle life setbacks. Try reading books about positivity, or surround yourself with positive people. (Read: Positively Attracting Positivity In Our Lives.)

Failure to manage stress can lead  to  depression.  Seeking psychiatric help or counselling can also be helpful. Make sure you find someone you trust, and who “feels right”.

“Life is 10%  what  happens  to  you  and  90%  how  you  react  to  it.”

–  Charles  R. Swindoll

Do not battle stress; rather, learn how to recognize it. Wherever you are in your life right now, whether you are struggling or experiencing a major setback, remember that this will eventually pass. There will always be impediments in our life, but it is in the time of adversity that we discover our inner strength.

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^{Written by Germina Paola, for R.A.W. Inside Out.
Edited by Michelle Sarthou
Images: Shutterstock
Reference:
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-causes-and-effects.htm}

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