Stress hurts

Stress abounds in our lives. While struggling to hang on to our lifestyles that we have adopted or aspire to achieve, we multiply our stress quotient. Still, stress remains a perception. While one person can thrive on an adrenaline rush, another may feel stressed out at a change from routine.

Most of us fall between these two extremes. For us, common causes of stress include:

• Bereavement
• Illness
• Accidents
• Marriage
• Pregnancy
• Divorce
• Job change
• Deadlines
• Heavy traffic
• Retirement
• Legal problems
• Moving

Our body often reacts to stressors. Dr. Neeta Relwani Garg, consultant psychologist at Apollo Clinic, Gurgaon, enlists immediate stress symptoms, “Initial signals, your body gives on experiencing stress are– palpitations, racing heart rate, stomach cramps, foggy thinking, trembling body. Experiencing stress symptoms may result in eating disorders, disturbed sleeping pattern, angry and snappy behaviour. If you reach this point, stress has permeated in your being.”

Our responses to stress vary. For some stress can be strenuous, they smoke and drink more in response to stress. Some manage stress well; it is no coincidence that they are successful too.

Our bodies are designed to feel stress and react to it. Short bursts of stress keeps us alert. We do so with our ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ reaction.

What impacts our lives is long-term stress. 21st century lifestyle diseases like heart problems, diabetes, obesity, stem from stress. Long-term stress can cause insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, and psoriasis, if it continues unchecked.

Coping with stress involves learning few skills.

• Prioritize
• Get regular exercise.
• Learn to relax. A technique called progressive relaxation can be helpful. This involves tightening and relaxing the major muscle groups one at a time, being aware of each sensation.
  Get sufficient sleep each night.
• Practice yoga and meditation.

Feel good about yourself

• Pursue a hobby
• Investigate aromatherapy.
• Take a day’s off.
• Laugh. As we grow older, we laugh less.
• Accept your emotions.
• Delegate responsibilities.
• Practice deep breathing when a stressful situation confronts you.
• Stress and nutrition are interlinked. When stressed good eating behaviours take a backseat.
• Eating small meals six times a day, instead of three large ones help beat stress.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants.
  Drink eight glasses of water to stay hydrated.
  A cup of green tea helps to unwind.

Stress hurts. Hit it hard before it takes its toll. If needed, seek help.

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