Stress Can Impact Your Overall Health: Here’s What You Can Do About It
Stress levels are rising in Indonesia as a Cigna Indonesia survey has revealed that 75 percent of individuals are having a difficult time coping with stress. The poll also indicates that work environments and financial conditions are the two chief causes of stress among adults. Most people accept stress as a normal part of life, however, experiencing chronic stress can have an impact on one’s physical and mental health. Moreover, it can have a negative effect on other aspects of life, such as one’s career and relationships. This is why finding ways to relax and effectively manage stress is so important as it can lead to a better quality of life. Find out how stress can impact your overall health, and what you can do to win the battle against stress.
What stress does to your body
If you’ve ever felt weak or in pain when faced with a personal or work problem, then stress may have something to do with it as it can cause a host of physical health symptoms. Constant stress can trigger headaches, stomach problems, and body pain. Stress can even have a negative impact on the reproductive system as it can cause a man’s testosterone levels to drop, and it can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. It can also result in a weakened immune system and other more serious health conditions such as having a high blood pressure. To manage the latter, medication and constant monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure should be done to avoid the risk of having a heart attack or damage to the coronary arteries. The effects of stress on the body can be alarming, but people shouldn’t underestimate what it could do to one’s mental health.
How stress can affect your mental health
The World Health Organization states that one of the top 10 leading causes of disability all over the world are mental health problems, which include stress. Some people think that stress in the workplace can be a good thing as it can help one mentally prepare for challenges, but long-term stress increases the risks of developing anxiety. It also plays a role in depression as a Harvard study has found that stress can suppress the production of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, which then leads to depression. Taking active steps to manage stress is the key to avoid developing mental and physical health problems in the future.
Stress management techniques that truly work
Exercise is one of the best ways to deal with stress. Doing any physical activity helps the body release endorphins, which can promote relaxation, improve sleep, and reduce stress. If you’re not keen on spending time at the gym, then other activities such as swimming, running, or following along to an exercise video on YouTube will help to lower stress levels. Mindful activities such as yoga, meditation, or coloring a mandala in an adult coloring book can also help to quiet the mind and ease tension. Doing things that gives you a sense of pleasure or satisfaction can also alleviate stress, so if you have a hobby or if you love spending time with friends, make time to do these things to take care of your wellbeing.
Managing your stress levels can improve your physical and mental health. Make stress management a part of your daily routine for a healthier and happier life.
