National stress awareness month
Stress is a universal factor that penalizes the daily lives of billions of people. It’s a common factor often overlooked that profoundly impacts the body’s state of health and well-being. People often act solo and develop bad coping habits.
The feeling of tension, pressure, and the constant state of worrying might sound familiar for many students. There are countless reasons why people feel stressed out, from the simplest things to the most challenging. For instance, constantly hearing or watching bad news, an upcoming event or test, losing a job/ family member or friend, and overall being in an uncomfortable situation or place. Often, bad habits can also cause stress.
There are various types and categories of stress that can affect a person. Physical, behavioral, mental, and emotional stress are some of the categories of stress that can impact an individual. Acute stress and chronic stress are two diagnoses of stress. Acute stress only happens for a short period. For example, traffic jams, student/work deadlines, and running late are all great examples of acute stress. Chronic stress is ongoing stress that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. It can cause health problems like high blood pressure, strokes, depression, aches and pains, insomnia, etc.
There are many ways people try to relieve themselves of stress. Many try abusing substances like alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or comfort eating, and even isolation. These methods create more health issues, as drinking alcohol, smoking, and using drugs deteriorate the body and cause lung and heart diseases, cancer, mental conditions, and more. Comfort eating can lead to overeating, and isolation can lead to depression. It’s more effective to prioritize healthy eating, relaxation, breathing exercises, seeking help from a trusted individual, and engaging in favorite hobbies and activities.
Stress plays a significant role in overall well-being, while stress is unavoidable, there are many healthy ways to cope. This involves paying close attention to one’s mental health and striving for a balanced life. Taking breaks and the time to relax should also be a common habit. Taking care of oneself is crucial to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy mind and body.
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