How do you deal with Stress?

There would be no one in this fast paced world who hasn't experienced stress. Stress, anxiety and depression have got so limelight that people dive into it to remain in fashion.

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In this digital world, stress has become so common that we find it difficult to distinguish it from the real stress.

Before going further let's understand what stress actually is.

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Stress is of two types:

• Acute stress
• Chronic stress

It is the response of our body to the situations(physical events) which we find unfamiliar and difficult.

E.g: public speaking, driving a car for the first time, a chasing dog, speaking up for yourself infront of the authority, during exams, meeting with new people, near a deadline.

These are the stresses which are very common and short lived so we call them Acute stress.

When such kinda stress occurs, our body produces two hormones named

• Cortisol (stress hormone)
• Adrenaline

During stress, our body needs more energy and focus to deal with the situation. Our body goes in fight or flight mode.

*Therefore cortisol makes our body to generate more glucose(sugar) for energy usage.

This glucose flows in blood with the aid of adrenaline hormones*.

This is a normal phenomenon. Our heart rate increases, we sweat more or may be shiver a little.

During stress our body focuses on the main task and fastens the function of reproductive and digestive functions.

That's why some people under stress faces diarrhoea. I go through this situation during the exams, before a deadline or presentations. That's why i don't eat anything before that.

This hormonal change lasts for a specific periods(until a task is finished). After that our body gets back to its normal stage

This short-lived stress is infact good for focus.

When stress becomes harmful?

When our body is facing fear and worry related to a situation for a long period of time it becomes chronic stress.

Example:

• Financial problems for a long period of time, when a person consistently worries about their basic necessities and bills to get paid.

• Fights with spouse or family on a regular basis when you don't know a way to sort that out.

• Prolonged illness of yourself or your closed one. Fear of their death sends fear and shock waves in a person.

In these situations, our body shows the same response as it showed in acute stress. However, stress and worry remains constant here, that's why our body is in constant state of stress/imbalance.

^{There remains more glucose/ sugar in your blood all the time due to cortisol. Which is the reason people get diagnosed with diabetes}.

Consistent stress also damages our brains parts mainly:

• Frontal lobe / Forehead area: It is involved in thinking, focusing, decision making and planning.

• Hippocampus: It is involved in memorizing things.

People under stress often are poor in managing things, become hyper without using their front brain in response to normal situation.

They become agressive because their brain power weaken in constant stress.

People also forget crucial things or tasks to do which ultimately causes poor management skills.

What do stress does?

• It makes our brain cells to shrink in size

• It also inhibits the production of growth hormones which produces new brain cells and connection.

• These connection are essential for the brain health. Otherwise our brains starts to shrinks and the process of aging fastens.

• You must have seen stressful people age faster than a chill person.

• A person may lose weight rapidly or may gain weight.

I get stressed out when i gotta meet a deadline or when a dispute happens between my parents.

That feeling of helplessness is so painful when you're unable to do anything (in the later situation).

5 ways i try to deal with my stress consciously by following ways:

• 1.Exercise:

Walking or exercising is my top priority when stressed. It not only makes your body tired, but also clears your mind.

When you're mentally exhaused do physical activities until your body gets tired and vice versa

^{Morning walks in nature}

It helps in building new brain cells via growth hormones. A healthy brain leads to a stress free life.

Also it released certain hormones like serotonin which is linked to a person's well-being.

• 2.Social Connection:

Man is a Social Animal

When you share your stress with Almight pouring your heart out or with a family or friends, your stress level goes down.

^{social animal}

Crying also helps

Recently, i felt stressed a few days ago, i shared it immediately with my friend. My stress didn't vanish but i felt a shoulder to share my feelings with.

People with poor family and social relation are more stressful. They keep all their problems to themselves and suffer in solitude.

• 3.Laughing / watching comedy

I watch comedy or cartoons to deal with my stress. I prefer watching something that makes me laugh my heart out.

Laughter is the best medicine

^{Funny time}

Or, i watch classic dramas when people and things were simple. It makes me forget about my misery for a short time.

• 4.Playing with kids

Children are innocent, they bring smile on your face with their subtle and innocent moves. While playing with them we forget our worries and stress.

It's a blessing to have kids in your home, only when they're not the source of the stress.

^{playing with this kid}

My nephew is one year old, barely stands, but shouts on us as if we're his servants.

However, it's a pure feeling to have them in your company.

• 5.Reading A novel(funny + romantic)

It helps to forget your stress for a short time. You enter into the shoes of the fiction characters and experience life with their lens.

Where things are going funny and romantic...

I read fictions to escape the reality and dive into the world of fantasy.

It becomes stressful sometimes when you don't get reward for your precious content. Seeing some people getting rewards for their petty content also becomes stressful.

In these situations I stop and question myself, what can i do in this situation, am I the authority here to do something?

Ofcourse not, so what can i do instead of worring on steemit?

Only thing i can do is...

To create valuable and unique content with honesty. I try to pour my stress into my work.

Writing is one thing which i find tempting and it helps to channelize my stress.

And when you focus on your task rather than being jealous of others, you naturally feel content with yourself.

Do your best and leave the rest for Allah (Almighty) to do

My Introduction

Thanksgiving

@ruthjoe

Inviting @nafeela @sawera1 @seapearl