June 21, 2024

A Healthy Approach To Stress

Different people get bothered for different reasons. A big sports game, an office presentation, deadlines at work, even other people and relationships --- all these can cause us stress. This feeling of mild anxiety can cause different outcomes, including negative consequences. A student can fail his or her exam simply by being stressed out or when he encounters a mental block that prevents effective study.   

Stress, as a normal human reaction, is the body's reaction to rising challenges and tough situations. Everyone, in some way or another, encounters stress. It is simply inevitable. People and events tend to clash and circumstances - those things we can't control - present themselves all of which results in stress. People work, play, study, and engage in various activities everyday. For this reason, it is impossible not to feel stressed at one point in time or another or in one way or another. In an effort to escape the painful effects of stress and anxiety, some people turn to medications for relief.

A healthier approach to relieving stress is by practicing stress relieving techniques that can maintain the person's state of balance and regulation in both body and mind. Exercise is a stress technique that is not only good for your physical health but also helps alleviate a person's tension and frustration. Sports and other fitness routines are excellent ways to relieve tension. Many people who want to manage stress go to a boxing class, join a cycling club, or engage in other exercise activities that provide a pathway for them to release their stress. 

Aside from exercise, another useful technique is to practice deep breathing, which gives the person a feeling of relaxation. Proper breathing counts and rhythm is used as stress techniques that eventually lead to more relaxation.  

Relaxation activities such as Yoga or Tai chi can also eliminate stress by relaxing the mind and body, thereby assuaging stress patterns around the body. Yoga and Tai-chi also helps develop concentration and positive body awareness. These Oriental arts have been practiced by millions of people for centuries and medical research has documented the beneficial effects of these modes of exercise. 

By moving slowly with calm and ease and always in a state of relaxation, the person performing these activities will start feel serene followed by feelings of relaxation.  

Muscle relaxation also works in ameliorating stress. By deep breathing and constant contraction and relaxation of different body parts, the person will feel relaxed after every contraction, which also releases stress. 

Massage therapy also helps fight stress. Massaging your scalp, putting pressure on your shoulders or even your eyes can really decrease stress in that certain part of the body.

People should take a second look at these stress techniques. But for those who have tried to appropriately adjusted their diet to maximize the body's metabolic function and tried every massage or stress management technique, taking a prescription drug may very well be your best option. However, the use of these medications almost always has side effects. But with proper doctor's advice, the use of safe and proven drugs may help people who need fast relief.  

Remember, there are a lot of healthy, non-drug ways to beat stress.

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