Stress - There is More to it than Meets our Eye

Stress feels like a monotone buzz that goes off when our brain’s higher-order functioning is struggling to process the happenings around us – these could be internal or external.

Personally, I can feel the acid and heat surge up my stomach. The deep breaths I remind myself to take feel heavier; the minute I close my eyes to relax, reminders of pending tasks talk over each other. It’s a chaotic state of mind that urges me to keep my eyes open and engaged rather than take a minute to breathe, and reminds me of all the things that I need to do and how little progress I’ve made.

Stress is normal. Our body experiences it every day, even in the situations that we don't see as typically stressful. The stress hormone, cortisol, is released in our blood when we wake up, exercise, lift weights, have a heated argument with a co-worker or engage in sex. Our body utilises the glucose reserves in it to help us in performance and goals.

If you are alive and living, you are experiencing a form of stress - WELL, if you’ve lived through the last 2 years you have definitely experienced whether it is the stress of finishing your tasks on time, giving a test, performing for an audience, working hard so you show your supervisor, spectator, parent, partner, doggie that you've done the things that had once stressed you. Realising your jaw and upper back ache all the time. This is acute stress.

Acute Episodic Stress is the culmination of the stress we experience when we’re in chaos, trying to predict the next event and/or the move you have to make. In cases of individuals who are frontline workers, medical staff, police force, journalists. It doesn’t always have to be a recurring event to cause intense stress to your body. A single experience that causes severe acute stress has the possibility of developing into Post Traumatic Disorder.

When does Stress become Unhealthy?

• When the challenges we face extend our ability to process and cope with them.

• When our body doesn't regulate, that is, normal back to our base point cortisol level, our heart and other organs will keep working on high alert.

Have you ever had a stomach ache or felt nauseous before an exam? Or have you developed a fever after a week of dooming deadlines?

That's because the high amount of cortisol in your bloodstream for an extended period of time cuts off supply to your digestive system and other body systems that weren't necessary for your survival.

Experiencing a stressor for a long period of time, in the present or recollected

It could be a result of facing chronic illness, poverty, unstable environments and relationships, unfulfilling and highly demanding jobs.

Chronic stress slowly drains a person’s psychological resources and damages their brains and bodies (Sinha, 2007).

This will eventually hurt the functioning of your digestive, reproductive and immune systems leading to:

• Gastrointestinal Issues

• Heart disease

• Trouble Sleeping

• Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders

• Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar I and II)

• Prolonged Fatigue

• Changes in weight

How do we effectively help ourselves when stressed?

For everyday stressors, we can benefit from simple breathwork, practising mindfulness and rewarding yourself with joy.

Breathwork:

When you feel overwhelmed by the tasks you need to do, wondering if your proposal strategy will be accepted, when you need to keep working…

• Bring your attention to your breath

• Notice your breath as you breathe in and as you breathe out

• Taking deeper breaths, exhale from your mouth.

• You can place your palm over your chest if it's comforting.

• Take as many breaths you need to feel calmer.

Mindfulness:

Through the breathwork,

You can bring your attention to the present moment, to your body.

Go through your body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Notice how each part of your body feels.

If your shoulders and eyes feel strained from sitting in front of the screen for a long period of time. If your wrists and neck hurt. If your head feels heavy or if your calves ache.

Take this opportunity to stretch, massage yourself or take a break.

Taking a break can look like - a walk around your office, room, building, stairs or neighbourhood.

Calling a friend, family member, anyone you feel good with, a cup of tea, coffee, water and gazing out of your window, street, whatever pleases you, playing with your pets, making a doodle, singing and humming, moving your body as you like.

Try to stay engaged only with the activity in the moment and refrain from multitasking.

If you’re experiencing acute, episodic and or chronic stress

Consult a Mental Health Professional: Psychiatrist and a Psychologist.

They will help build an intervention program based on your symptoms, history and current needs. They may pave the way to other medical professionals who can weigh in on your recovery.

Along with professional help, here are a few things you can practise

• Consume a healthy diet

• Move and exercise your body at least twice a week

Chronic stress can make it difficult to ask for help and initiate the actions for your well-being. Having a support system of people who understand, provide reinforcement and nurturance will be tremendous. Acknowledging that circumstances aren't always ideal and lack of support or energy to reach for support may pose a challenge.

A mental health professional may provide support and access to support groups. Help is available; reach out today!