STRESS-A BRIEF INSIGHT

In Today’s fast world filled with competition. ‘STRESS’ has become a buzz word”.

WHAT IS STRESS?

By definition, Stress is the body's reaction to a change that requires physical, mental or emotional adjustment or a response. Stress could be caused either by internal or external factors

 Causes:

 INTERNAL CAUSES:-

• Worrying about something for no reason at all.
• Being pessimistic.
• Self-judging.
• Perfectionism
• Inability to accept changes and uncertainty.
• Unrealistic expectations.
• Superiority or inferiority complex.
• Interovertic or Exterovertic behaviour.

 EXTERNAL CAUSES:-

• Working more than eight hours a day.
• Financial problems.
• pressure in balancing work life and family life .
• Irregular diet patterns like skipping morning breakfast, having late night dinners, having junk food at irregular times.
• Strenuous driving in heavy traffic.
• Relationship difficulties.

 How DOES STRESS AFFECT YOU?

Stress can affect both your body and your mind. People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, and unable to concentrate or think clearly. Sometimes, they even suffer mental breakdown.

 Many health problems are caused due to stress like:

• Pain of any kind
• Digestive problems
• Heart problems
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Obesity
• Autoimmune diseases
• skin diseases such as eczema etc.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest and relaxation.

 Ways to manage stress:-

• Learn to say ‘NO’-In professional and personal life, make sure you do not take up added responsibilities to please your boss or peers, in turn stressing yourself out.
• Avoid people who stress you out- stay away from those who cause stress in you and your life.
• Take control of your surroundings-If the traffic is making you tensed, take a longer but lesser traveled route. If going to market makes you worried , shop online.
• Avoid major topics-if topics like politics, religion or anything related to your favorite actor makes you lose control of yourself, it is better to avoid these topics and stick to some general discussion.
• Write down your TO-DO LIST-Analyze your schedule and responsibilities. And in this way you could even complete the daily tasks without stressing out.
• Express your feelings-It is always better to pour down your feelings to your near and dear ones rather than keeping everything to yourself.
• Be willing to compromise-When you want someone to do something, you should also give consent to his/her wish.
• Be more assertive-be more strong.
  
• make good and correct decisions and stand by your decision.
• Manage your time better-poor time management can cause a lot of  stress. Have a strategy, plan ahead , execute the plan in time ,and be confident of what you are going to do.
• Focus on positives-when you are under pressure or stress it is very important to take time and think about the positive qualities and gifts that you have got which will give you the energy to move on.
• Reframe problems-approach your problems in a more positive perspective.
• Learn to forgive-Do not get stressed because someone has committed a mistake. Forgive and forget. Mistakes happen all the time by everyone.
• Have fun, relax, exercise regularly, do yoga , meditation, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep , avoid alcohol and smoking , reduce caffeine and sugar.

So, its time we change our lifestyle, Avoid STRESS and become a better and healthier individual.