Stress-free or stressed to the max. Which are you?
In this crazy world in which stress often is the norm, we all are seeking better ways to cope. It being food, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or sugar. They continue to be commonplace solutions for dealing with stress. But more of us, are seeking fewer of these negative and short-term outlets, and are trying to replace them with healthy lifestyle changes, such as nutrition, exercise, meditation, and a good skincare routine.
So what is stress you ask?
What is stress, and why does it have such a powerful effect on our body and mind? Stress has overwhelming ability to control the ways you think and feel. It has both positive and negative effects on the body and mind, but more often is perceived as a harmful condition. Stress is defined as the body’s response to any demand placed on it. It is the reaction from the body in response to external influences and has significant impact on skin appearance, health and overall wellness.
Thankfully, not all stress is negative. The term eustress is used to signify good stress. Eustress provides the body and psyche with motivation, and spurs improved performance. Eustress can provide focus, and prevent life from becoming mundane and boring. Negative stress rightfully is defined as “distress,” which eventually can lead to disease if it is excessive. Both positive and negative reactions can accumulate and result in chronic stress.
More than half the people that are under stress are women. For many women, stress is inevitable with the environment changing faster than ever before. In the old days women were solely in the role of the stay-at-home caregivers, but now-a-days women often are in a position of balancing family life and they career. When under stress for prolonged periods, anxiety and even depression can develop. Every year the issue escalates, with more people at increasingly younger age suffering from depression. Whichever stress you feel, it being positive or negative, both result in the change in the hormonal balance. Our body produces cortisol steroids which is a stress hormone. When cortisol levels increase, the immune system weakens and makes the body vulnerable to illness and other health related issues, including skin problems.
What can we do?
Do not STRESS OUT, there are effective ways to manage stress. It does not have to be only through medication. Here are some simple ways to relieve stress and anxiety:
1. Exercise. It is one of the most important things you can do to fight stress. Putting physical stress on your body can relieve mental stress. It also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and act as natural painkillers.
2. Reduce caffeine intake. High quantities of caffeine can increase stress and anxiety. It is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks.
3. Family & friends. We know this may be hard to do during this time, yet social support from loved ones can help you get through stressful times and lower your anxiety levels.
4. Positivity. Find the positive and humor in everyday life. Talk with funny family members and friends. Watch a comedy show, laugh until your cry. It helps relieve stress.
5. Deep breathing. Deep breathing activates the relaxation response. The goal of deep breathing is to focus your awareness on your breath, making it slower and deeper. When you breathe in deeply through your nose, your lungs fully expand and your belly rises. This helps activate your nervous system, which controls the relaxation response.
6. Soothing Music. Listening to slow-paced music can be a good way to relieve stress. It induces a relaxing response by helping to lower blood pressure and lowering your heart rate, as well as lowering stress hormones.
7. Me time. Take sometime our of the day or week to do things you enjoy. Apply a facial mask while reading a book or taking a relaxing long bath. get your nails or hair done. A little change in your daily and weekly routine can make a big difference.
