The Science of Stress 4 Tips to Destress and Live a Happier Life By: Fran Garton We have very limited control over external stressors, as they include other people’s opinions and actions, while internal stressors include our own thoughts, actions, mindset, and responses – the things we can control. Identifying stressors as either external or internal can reduce stress by giving you a realistic perspective on what can actually be controlled.
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gnoring stress levels can significantly impact your physical and mental health. Take it from me – not paying attention to my own stress had me bedridden with vision loss for four months. In this article, we’ll dive into the types of stress you may be experiencing and discuss how to mitigate that stress and maximize your time.
Identifying Your Stress Before diving into how to manage stress, let’s look at different types of stress you may be experiencing. The most common stressors are finances, relationships, work, health, and life changes. However, not all stress is bad. We have all experienced eustress (“good” stress), which creates feelings of joy, control, productivity, and allows for growth. Eustress is a result of positive life changes like getting married, having a baby, or landing your dream job. On the other hand, distress (“bad” stress) is a type of stress which leaves us feeling out of control and is characterized by feelings of anxiety, depression, powerlessness, and can significantly impact your health. We have very limited control over external stressors, as they include other people’s opinions and actions, while internal stressors include our own thoughts, actions, mindset, and responses – the things we can control. Identifying stressors as either external or internal can reduce stress by giving you a realistic perspective on what can actually be controlled.
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The Effects of Stress While a little bit of stress can be beneficial, chronic stress can wreak havoc on both your physical and mental health. One of the main ways stress manifests itself is through our adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which help us respond to stressors. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because it helps us deal with immediate danger by giving us a burst of energy. This is known as the fight-or-flight response and is beneficial in small doses. However, when we experience chronic stress, our adrenal glands can become overworked, leading to an increase in cortisol production. Inability to effectively manage stress can lead to a variety of physical manifestations and health problems including muscle and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, eczema, irritability, anger, frustration, digestion issues, lack of motivation, over/under-eating, weight gain/loss and hives.
Managing Your Stress There are a variety of effective methods for managing stress, and the best approach is often a combination of different techniques. The following strategies will help you mitigate the stress in your life and set you on the path to a healthier, happier you.