Stress is a normal part of life. According to the Economic Times, about 89% of the population in India says they are suffering from stress compared to the global average of 86%. Nearly 75% of respondents here do not feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about their stress and cite cost as one of the barriers(Economic Times,2018). Deadlines are fast approaching and a lot has to be done, the kids won’t stop screaming, and the boss is after your life to make these timely submissions. All these situations cause negative stress. But there are situations like winning a race or having a child which are causes of positive stress. Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur. It can respond to these changes physically, mentally, or emotionally[1]. Stress can be experienced either externally i.e. from your environment or internally i.e. from your body and thoughts. There is no fixed definition for stress as it holds different meanings for everyone.
Stress can either be positive which keeps one alert and motivated or negative which is a result of facing continuous challenges without any relief. Our body has a “fight or flight response” that is activated in situations of emergency. It basically is a built-in response of the body that combats stressful situations. Although, prolonged activation of this response can take a toll on the body.
Stress that continues without relief leads to a condition called distress which is a negative stress reaction. Distress affects the body negatively by disturbing the internal balance and many problems such as headaches, stomach issues, blood pressure problems, sexual dysfunction, and problems related to sleep. Emotional problems like depression, anxiety, and panic attacks can also be a result of distress.
Causes of stress
Although everyone has different trigger points it has been found that work stress tops the list[2]. There are other factors as well:
Stress management tips:
Stress is a part of life. The stress levels of people differ based on their personalities. Some people just let go of things easily but then there are others who stress about very little things as well. It’s important to understand that you should not let stress take a toll on your body as it eventually adds up to the already existing stress. Positive stress is the way to go as it keeps you motivated. Try and avoid negative stress as much as you can.
“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.” -Steve Maraboli
