“Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everyone's power and that is not easy.” -- Aristotle
Stress is a term that is commonly used today but has become increasingly difficult to define. It shares, to some extent, common meanings in both the biological and psychological sciences. Stress typically describes a negative concept that can have an impact on one’s mental and physical well-being, but it is unclear what exactly defines stress and whether or not stress is a cause, an effect, or the process connecting the two. With organisms as complex as humans, stress can take on entirely concrete or abstract meanings with highly subjective qualities, satisfying definitions of both cause and effect in ways that can be both tangible and intangible.
What takes the toll??
THE BODY:
Following are some of the physical effects of stress on our body
Palpitation : increased heart beat
Increased, shallow breathing
Tremors
Cold, clammy extremities
Moist eyebrows
Tightening of muscles, showing tightening of abdominal muscles, tense arms and legs, clenched jaw causing gritting of teeth.
Sweating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dyspepsia
Increased frequency of urine
Irritability
Hyperacidity
Weakness
Hair loss
Loss of appetite
THE MIND:
common mental effects of stress are:
Inability to concentrate
Difficulty with coming to decisions
Loss of self-confidence
Irritability or frequent anger
Insatiable cravings
Irrational fear
Panic attacks
Compelling emotions and mood swings
Uncontrolled mental stress can also induce people to become alcoholic addicts, show signs of bulimia or anorexia, lead to drug and nicotine dependency etc.
BEAT THE STRESS
The way of the body (exercise):
There are many proven health benefits to exercise, one of which is the bodies release of endorphins. Setting aside time for fitness is easy, when you get creative.
Make it mandatory to ride a stationary bike or do crunches and leg lifts every time you are watching television. While working on the computer use an exercise ball to engage your core muscles which in turn, improves posture.
Chances are, nobody has to tell you that exercise is a great stress reliever. But here's the thing: You can reduce stress even more—and make that reduction last longer—if you tailor your workout specifically to your personality type.
You are what you eat:
People overlook the mind-body connections of stress. If your mind is stressed, you will probably feel physical symptoms; if your body is stressed, your mind will likely suffer.
Calcium promotes strong bone-growth, and it is also important for muscle relaxation. Because the mind and body are connected, relaxed muscles may help relax your mind. If you're often tense and tight due to high stress levels, consuming calcium may help relax your muscles.
That mid-day cup of coffee is an important part of your day. That dose of caffeine helps you feel energized, gain some mental clarity and improves your concentration. But, as soon as caffeine wears off, you may find yourself foggy and groggy.
Instead of coffee, consider sipping a cup of chamomile tea. For centuries, chamomile tea has been used to help support a state of relaxation. Most people consume it in the evening, but don't be afraid to try it whenever stress arises.
Foods from the earth will keep your body and mind running in peak conditions. Try eating more natural fruits and vegetables for a month and you will notice the difference.
Laugh till your tummy hurts:
Laughing releases in endorphins, your bodies chemical that reduces pain and calms stress. Rent or go see a funny movie, or a comedy act. Laughter is contagious, so invite a couple friends to join you.
Play mind with mind:
"Don't let your mind play tricks on you," so the saying goes. The Buddhist monks teach that we must realize that all of our thoughts and stresses, stem from our own mind. People and situations aren't stressful, it's how we choose to feel about people and situations.
Your feelings come from within you and your mind. It's time for you to choose to relax and let your stressful thoughts go, the moment you feel stress coming on, take a deep breath, slow your breathing and let your stresses go.
Easier said then done, I know. Try using 5 to 10 minutes of complete silence in the morning and at night. Within a week your meditation time will leave you feeling more in control of your thoughts and feelings. Remember, it's all in your mind.
Your ears can help you:
Music soothes the soul, and in stressful situations (work deadlines, exams, breakups, moving, weddings, babies), playing classical music can act as a cause to slow down your breathing and heart rate.
Many scientific studies have shown that the brain exhibits different behavior when listening to classical music and one of those behaviors is that it causes the release of chemicals that make you feel better. These are the same ones that get released when you exercise.
