Stress is a natural part of life, and everyone experiences it differently. While some people thrive under pressure, prolonged exposure to stressors can lead to more debilitating effects, both physically and mentally. Chronic stress can be harmful to your physical health, affecting systems throughout your body, including your cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems, as well as weakening your immune function. Additionally, stress can cause headaches, insomnia, weight gain, anxiety, and depression.
But stress doesn’t have to control your life. It is possible to manage stress through a multifaceted, holistic approach that includes dealing with the cause of stress and recovering and returning your body to a balanced state. The first step to managing stress is to understand what triggers it and how it affects your body.
Stress is an evolutionary response from our ancestors who operated in an environment where “fight or flight” were normal everyday options. Today, however, this innate stress response isn’t needed as frequently as it was at the beginning of human evolution. Instead, the perceived “danger” has become much more subtle yet pervasive. Daily life is made up of so many small stressors, like traffic, meetings, social and family pressures, deadlines, and parking. These conditions known as stressors are situations or events that you find demanding, challenging or threatening to your physical or mental health.
While stress is an unavoidable part of life, reducing long-term stress and its effects requires a multifaceted, holistic approach. Using techniques to deal with stress both in the moment and once it has passed, as well as making sure your body is physically supported by receiving the right balance of nurturing nutrients, can all help to reduce long-term effects. Here are some techniques that can help you manage stress and break the cycle:
- Breathing techniques: Deep breathing exercises can help you to reduce stress and anxiety, calm your mind, and improve focus.
- Regular exercise: Physical activity can help to reduce stress by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals.
- Prioritising sleep: Lack of sleep can cause stress and anxiety, so it’s important to prioritise getting enough restful sleep.
- Proper nutrition: Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help to support your body’s immune system and overall health.
It’s important to recognise that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for managing stress. What works for one person may not work for another. However, using a combination of these techniques can help you to manage your stress levels and break the cycle of chronic stress. By taking care of your physical wellbeing, you can also improve your mental and emotional health, and lead a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.
