Stress is something that you may resonate within your daily life, isn’t it? It is a natural byproduct of life’s pressures. It is our body’s way of reacting to difficult relationships, unforeseen changes, or deadlines at work. In moderation, stress can be advantageous. We can be motivated to finish activities, stay alert, and perform well in stressful situations.
However, stress can begin to negatively impact our mental and physical well-being when it persists or becomes chronic.
We are all familiar with the sensation of tension in our shoulders after a hard day, the tightness in our chest before a big presentation, or the sense of being overburdened by an endless to-do list.
Did you realise that stress has an impact outside your mind?
It may also have a significant effect on your physical health. As a psychologist, I have personally witnessed the physical manifestations of stress.
Let us further see how it occurs and what you can do to address it.
Our sleep quality is frequently impacted by stress. It’s difficult to unwind enough to go to sleep while your mind is racing with worries, and when you do, the sleep is frequently restless and unrefreshing.
Case Study
Pooja is a mother of two and a working woman.
She would often lie awake at night worried about everything she had on her plate. We as counsellors established a sleep routine and worked on some basic breathing techniques to help her relax. Her capacity to manage everyday stress and the quality of her sleep both improved with time, but this doesn’t happen overnight. Pooja had to be consistent with her schedule.
Our brain triggers the release of chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline when we are under stress. By inducing the “fight or flight” response, these hormones condition you to either confront or flee from a challenge. This response is essential to survival and explains why our systems are so adept at fending off threats right away.
However, pressures are frequently not life-threatening in today’s environment. Our struggles now are often related to work, personal life or finances, rather than the primal threat our ancestors faced like fending off wild animals. Our bodies keep reacting, as though we have to be on high alert all the time and when that stress persists, it harms our health.
Your digestive system and muscles can suffer greatly from stress.
Stress causes reduced blood flow from the digestive tract to your muscles and other essential organs. It may lead to conditions such as constipation, bloating, indigestion, and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Case study
Another client Raghav suffered from persistent bloating and stomach pain. Due to work pressure and family matters, his stress levels were quite high. His digestive problems gradually improved as we collaborated to address the underlying causes of his stress and implemented mindfulness exercises. He felt more in control and his body was no longer in “fight or flight” mode.
Chronic stress can have serious harm on the body, but the silver lining is that you don’t have to endure this suffering in silence. Stress can be managed and reduced in several ways, which can help protect your physical and emotional well-being.
Being overwhelmed can be reduced by learning effective time management abilities. Divide complex tasks into smaller and easier-to-accomplish steps. Prioritising your tasks and performing the significant tasks first would also help. Since you cannot complete everything, delegate work to others or turn down requests when necessary.
Taking time out for yourself is essential. Whether it is reading a book, taking a warm bath, talking to a friend, playing with a dog, or simply going for a walk. Self-care can help you recharge and relieve stress.
Although stress is inevitable, you don’t have to let it take control of you. You should protect both your mind and body by being attentive to the physical impacts of stress and taking action to manage it. Keep in mind that even small improvements can have a significant impact. And it’s always a good idea to ask for help when necessary. Your body will thank you later.
