When we think of stress, we think of all the things that are going on in the world today; we think of the deadlines we have not met, the relationships that are going south and many other things, but what exactly is stress and how did we come to associate it with a myriad of things?
According to dictionary.com, stress is the importance attached to a thing, and the verb is emphasising a thing and experiencing anxiety or worry.
But stress is your body's way of responding to any form of demand, danger, or threat. That which we call the fight-or-flight mode when our body senses any risk, whether imagined or real. When the body feels this way, it kicks into this mode to allow you to take adequate action. This response is a way of protecting you from danger, keeping you alive in a proper setting; it keeps you focused and energetic.
Your body releases adrenaline and cortisol when you are in fight-or-flight mode; these hormones rouse your body for emergency action. But after these get to a certain level, it becomes a danger to your body. What was meant to save you becomes what destroys your body.
The nervous system that controls the fight-or-flight mode does not know the difference between emotional stress and physical stress; it is all the same to the nervous system. And so everyday situations we face, problems paying our bills, work issues, a relationship issue, even having to go through traffic is seen as a fight or flight situation. The reaction you get to physical danger is the same as what you will have for emotional issues. Some internal problems cause stress and pessimism, such as rigid thought patterns, not being flexible, unrealistic expectations, negative self-talk, and a few other cynical inner ramblings.
There are some signs to let you know you are going through stress; they can be physical, behavioural, cognitive, or emotional. They could be memory issues, inability to concentrate, anxiety, moodiness, overwhelming feelings, aches and pains, constipation or diarrhoea, rapid heart rates, loss of appetite, having little sleep, or sleeping too much, nervous habits and so on.
Stress has some very damaging effects on the body, and we must be mindful. It suppresses your immune system, and this will not allow your body to defend itself from the different bacteria and viruses that it comes across daily. It upsets the digestive system as well, and it’s connected to our immune system. Our reproductive system is affected. Pain, skin problems, sleep issues, and weight problems are all caused by it.
We need to reduce the stress in our lives by finding ways to de-stress. Exercise is a fantastic way to de-stress. I hear walking does wonders for stress. Finding something that calms your nerves, music, art, even watching a movie can all be ways to release the pent up stress we have. Whatever works for you and is not detrimental to your body, do it and let your body enjoy the peace it needs to function optimally.
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