The fact is, feeling stressed is a normal part of life. When we’re stressed, our bodies release cortisol, the “stress hormone,” and adrenaline. Short-term cortisol keeps you safe by helping you deal with stress (e.g., it increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar).
But, with repeated stress, you begin to have stomach-related issues (nausea, diarrhea, heartburn), high blood pressure, stress-induced hyperglycemia, and weight gain. In addition, some people may experience anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and a low sex drive.
It’s important to remember that stress can have real physical effects on your body. At the BIFAT Center, we want to help you focus on ways to identify and manage your stress so you can feel better and improve your overall health.
Stress can come from all types of life events (e.g., losing a job, experiencing the death of a loved one, and even childbirth). What’s stressful for one person may not be stressful for someone else. And, depending on the current situation, certain things can make people more sensitive to life’s stresses (e.g., financial situation or support system at home).
But one thing is certain: reducing stress can help reduce stress’s effects on our minds and bodies. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Stretch your body (this helps relieve tension)
- Eat healthy food (try to avoid ultra-processed foods)
- Avoid unhealthy habits (e.g., alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs)
- Practice meditation
- Schedule mindfulness breaks throughout your day (e.g., walking outside, drinking a cup of tea or coffee, calling a friend, or cleaning your workspace)
- Reduce loud noise in your work or home environment
- Play soft/pleasing music in your office or home
- Have some “me time”
- Practice deep breathing
- Spend time outside in nature
- Spend time with friends or family
- Getting quality sleep
- Talk to a therapist
No matter how stressful your day is, there are many ways you can reduce the physical toll stress has on your mind and body. The first step to making positive change is simply acknowledging that stress is a part of your life.
Leave a Reply