HOW TO REDUCE STRESS

What is Stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. So, your nervous system respond when you feel threatened by releasing stress hormones which rouse your body for emergency. At this time, your heart pounds faster and your muscles tighten along with breath quickens. These changes will increase your strength, speed and focus.

What Causes Stress?

Stress can be caused by a wide range of factors, often referred to as stressors. These can be broadly categorized into external and internal sources:

External Stressors:

1. Work or School Pressure: Deadlines, workload, job insecurity, or academic expectations.
2. Financial Problems: Debt, unemployment, or unexpected expenses.
3. Relationship Issues: Conflicts with family, friends, or partners.
4. Major Life Changes: Moving, divorce, marriage, or the death of a loved one.
5. Environmental Factors: Noise, overcrowding, or unsafe living conditions.
6. Social Stressors: Discrimination, bullying, or social isolation.
7. Health Issues: Chronic illness, injury, or caring for a sick loved one.

Internal Stressors:

1. Negative Thinking: Pessimism, self-criticism, or unrealistic expectations.
2. Perfectionism: Setting excessively high standards for oneself.
3. Fear and Uncertainty: Worrying about the future or things beyond one's control.
4. Lack of Control: Feeling powerless or unable to influence outcomes.
5. Unhealthy Lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of sleep, or insufficient physical activity.

Other Contributing Factors:

• Personality Traits: Some people are more prone to stress due to their temperament or coping mechanisms.
• Lack of Support: Insufficient social or emotional support from others.
• Technology Overload: Constant connectivity and information overload.

Stress is a natural response to challenges, but chronic or excessive stress can negatively impact physical and mental health. Managing stress often involves identifying its sources and developing healthy coping strategies.

Ways to reduce stress

1. Accept what we cannot change
2. Create environments that reduce stress
3. Choose friends carefully
4. Maintain a sense of humor
5. Forget about stress and remember all the things that are good in your life

Natural foods that relief stress

Some of the natural foods are beneficial to relief stress and anxiety. The most influential healing foods are:

1. Banana
2. Garlic
3. Peppermint Tea
4. Ginger
5. Figs
6. Milk
7. Dark Chocolates

Other Techniques that reduce stress

1. Identify habits that increases stress and avoid them
2. breathe deeply and do some exercises
3. Get physical activities
4. Connect with others
5. Reevaluate your decisions