This article details how stress can impact our body and wellbeing and where to start with reducing stress.
Stress is often described as a feeling of being overwhelmed, wound-up, tight, tense and/or worried. Most (if not all) of us could say we have experienced stress at some point in our lives, and sometimes it can be what motivates us to complete a task, be it at home or at work. But if we are feeling 'stressed', what quality are we then doing the task in?
This is a great question to ask ourselves as not only does our quality affect what it is we are doing or producing, it also effects our body and hence, our wellbeing.
In addition to this, individual stress can end up creating unnecessary issues (or stress) in our relationships, home and workplace. When one person is feeling 'stressed', it is usually felt by all, and sometimes the decisions made during these times are not supportive to the other people involved.
For this reason it is always important to first identify when you or someone close to you is feeling stressed. The first step is to nominate it, and then seek inner counsel, or counsel from a partner, friend or colleague to help determine what is behind the stress and what can be done to address it.
How does 'stress' impact our physical body
When we are stressed, our bodies respond by activating the nervous system and releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin.
These hormones cause physical changes in the body, which help us to react quickly and effectively to get through the stressful situation. This is also referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Cortisol and adrenalin cause physical and emotional symptoms such as; an increase in heart rate, issues with blood pressure, breathing irregularity, metabolism and digestion problems, excess perspiration, a weakened immune system and/or headaches and muscular tension.
Prolonged stress can lead to anger and irritability issues, lack of confidence, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, fatigue, overwhelm, control issues and feeling moody.
These are just a few of the reasons why stress should be addressed as soon as it has been recognised.
Where to start with reducing stress
Get to know what triggers stress for you. This will vary from person to person and your body will let you know very early on when you are getting stressed. The more you connect to your body, the sooner you will have these insights when you get stressed. It’s much easier to support yourself at this point, as opposed to denying feelings of stress and ending up with a compounded effect.
Here's a short check list to take away with you.
- Get to know your triggers and be prepared with a supportive response - this may be as simple as expressing to someone that your workload is full and you cannot perform the task asked of you by the deadline given, or it may be that you need to get up off the chair and take a short walk outside or around the office.
- Stay connected to your body – learn how your body communicates with you when it is feeling stressed. For example, do your shoulders tense up? Does your mouth become dry? Or do you start feeling anxious or racey? Each of these things can be noted as markers in the body for stress, and once noted, you can take the steps to respond with what is needed (see above).
- Stress is accumulative – it's important to understand that when stress is left unaddressed, it builds in intensity like a pressure cooker. No one likes to experience the 'stress' explosion.
- Have realistic expectations – watch that 'stress' isn't coming from placing unrealistic expectations on yourself or others. Be willing to see these expectations and blow them out of the water where necessary. Have conversations with the appropriate people that can support you to do this.