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Hidden Signs Of Stress

And 7 efficient relaxation methods

By Sabrina BoydPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Hidden Signs Of Stress
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

We are all victims of stress, often without even realizing it. Many who experience constant stress choose to eat, drink and smoke more in the hope that they will feel better, instead of trying to eliminate the factors that brought them into that state.

Reactions that should make us think

Our body's reaction to stress is to release adrenaline and cortisol into the blood, hormones that, in excess, can cause health problems. In small amounts, cortisol reduces inflammation, but when the level is too high, the cells become insensitive to its action and the inflammation can become major.

In the long run, chronic inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain can act to degrade it. The cells of the immune system that are under constant stress no longer respond properly to the body's self-defense action, which explains why stressed people catch a cold more easily.

Stress hormones stimulate the appetite for foods high in sugars, starches, and fats. The stress response is to increase the level of insulin in the body and slow down the process of oxidation of fats, two simultaneous actions that lead to the accumulation of adipose tissue in the body, especially on the abdomen.

Excess cortisol slows wound healing and reduces the effectiveness of vaccines, causing sleep disorders. Long-term stress can lead to heart attack, depression, gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and pain in the joints of the spine.

To act in the sense of reducing stress, we must first identify it by looking carefully at our habits, the attitude we have, and the excuses we offer. Let's see if the stress is generated by home life, work, or part of our personality.

A sincere assumption of the problem and keeping a journal can help us to control it and become more responsible. In the diary, we will mention the type of stress we identified, who or what generated it, how we felt, and how we acted to feel better.

To reduce stress we must avoid sitting still or in the same position for more than an hour, not to overdo it with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Every day we find something to do that makes us happy. Physical activity, for example, reorganizes the brain, and gardening, even for 30 minutes, can reduce stress levels.

7 relaxation methods

  • The deep breathing we can practice wherever we are reduces blood pressure and slows the heart rate.
  • Therapeutic massage, aromatherapy with lavender oil, music, and laughter help us relax.
  • Walks in nature, especially those with a pet, are beneficial. It has been found, for example, that dog owners are less stressed.
  • Refuge in artistic activities such as painting and writing helps us to relax and disconnect.
  • Socializing with family members, friends, co-workers, expressing thoughts in front of other people can give us a different perspective on the things that bother us.
  • Progressive relaxation is another effective method against stress. Lying on our backs or with our feet on the floor, we try a mental scan of our body to understand how the stress of the day has affected us, from the toes to the scalp. We then try to release each group of muscles in the body and observe how we feel. Once the body is relaxed, the mind will follow.
  • Focusing on the moment we live in, on a single conscious behavior, is also very important. Let's live in the present without being worried about the future or sad about the past: if you walk, focus on the movement of your feet; if you eat, enjoy the taste and aroma of food, etc. If we focus too much on a problem, we may lose perspective. It is best to choose to remember the beautiful things we have in our lives, friends, family and to be grateful for all the good things in our lives!

selfcare
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