Difficult and stressful situations can engulf you gradually if you do not overcome them. Therefore, it is important to be able to cope with stress.
Coping with stress is difficult. It can become a vicious cycle, which, paradoxically, creates even more stress. Although some levels of stress are considered helpful because they can help overcome difficult situations, such as exams or work responsibilities, stress can be harmful if left unchecked.
Fortunately, there are techniques and habits that can help manage stress and prevent it from paralyzing you and making you react uncontrollably or lead to anxiety and even physical disorders.
What problems does stress cause?
Stress is a normal reaction of the body to difficult situations.
Dr. Hans Selye identified three stages of stress that describe the different states we experience in a stressful situation:
1. Anxiety
This is an immediate response to a dangerous or difficult situation. The heart rate increases, hormones such as cortisol are released, and the body receives a dose of adrenaline, which helps to respond.
2. Resistance
After the first attack, the body usually relaxes and restores its normal levels. However, if you do not overcome the stressful situation, the body will still be in a state of combat readiness and get used to high blood pressure and hormonal levels.
3. Exhaustion
Stress becomes chronic and the body depletes its reserves to fight it. At this stage, it has emotional and physical consequences, such as:
- exhaustion;
- depression;
- burnout;
- weakened immune system;
- gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders.
Stressful situations are sometimes inevitable, but if you find a way to deal with them, many of the negative effects of stress can be avoided or at least reduced.
How to deal with stress?
The American Psychological Association argues that there are several types of stress, and everyone must find their own way to manage stress. Thus, each person must identify the causes of their stress to reduce its impact. Here are some tips.
Temporarily separate yourself from stress
Once you have identified the situation that is exhausting you, separate yourself from it as much as possible. It’s not about avoiding the problem you have to solve, it’s about driving it crazy.
Practice yoga
Yoga is one of the best ways to manage stress. Yoga acts as an antidepressant and anxiolytic, as well as relaxes the mind. In addition, yoga promotes concentration, so it helps you mentally separate from stress.
Find a suitable place and spend a few minutes a day doing yoga.
Meditate
Meditation helps to relax the body and mind. Focusing only on your breathing or the environment will make you step away from the stressful problem for a moment and give you a new perspective.
Try natural antidepressants to deal with stress
Natural herbal infusions such as valerian, green tea, and lemon balm have been shown to reduce stress.
Communicate with people who make you feel good
Communication is a powerful tool to eliminate anxiety when used properly. After all, any activity that helps clear the mind will help you cope with stress.
If you focus on something other than your problems, you will have a calmer state. If the activity you choose is interesting, it will be even more useful, because it helps relieve stress.
You can also do other things for your mind and body
Good options are to listen to music, visit new places in good company, pursue a hobby, such as drawing, writing, or doing something with your own hands. Doing different and interesting things, you distance yourself from stress.
If all else fails, get professional help. Psychotherapists are ready to help you cope with stress and guide you on the best way to overcome it.
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