Introduction
When the temperature rises and we feel annoyed and irritated, why could that be? When we dip our face in ice-cold water, it lowers our heart rate and makes us feel relaxed, why could that be?
When we get stuck in a traffic jam and feel rage as well as frustrated, why could that be? When the dishes pile up in the sink waiting to be washed and we start feeling angry and guilty at the same time as feeling lethargic, why could that be? When there is a wedding hall nearby and late night functions and DJ keeps you up till midnight and we feel discomfort and fidgeting, why could that be? When we fall sick and stay at home alone without any support system and we feel bored and lonely, why could that be? The list can go on and on with multiple everyday mundane things which evoke so many emotions in us. The underlying aspect to it all remains the same, stressors which exist and can cause us stress in various ways, shape and form.
What is stress essentially
Stress is a mental state which can be understood in 2 ways, one is biologically and the other one is cognitively.
The bodys reaction to stress.
Real or imagined the body triggers what has been dubbed the fight-or-flight response as soon as it perceives that it is in a dangerous or threatening situation. This is a survival strategy that has been passed down through the generations preparing the body to either face or escape danger.
1. Brain activation. The brain and more especially the amygdala which filters emotions like fear is where the mechanism begins. The hypothalamus which is the command center of the autonomic nervous system is informed when the amygdala detects danger in the surroundings.
2. hormonal chain reaction. The adrenal glands release two stress hormones which are cortisol and adrenaline. Blood pressure heart rate and energy supply are all accelerated by adrenaline. In addition to regulating blood pressure and fluid balance cortisol inhibits processes like reproduction and digestion that are not necessary in an emergency.
3. Real-world manifestations. The body undergoes noticeable changes as a result of this hormonal surge. elevated breathing and heart rate. heightened awareness. tension in the muscles. dilated eyes. delayed digestion. All of these adjustments are intended to prepare the body to respond to a threat in a timely and efficient manner.
Stress’s effects on the mind.
1. Impact on cognition.
Thinking and decision-making can be hampered by stress.
You might experience racing thoughts or difficulty focusing.
ongoing anxiety or concern.
thinking too much and catastrophizing (imagining the worst).
2. Emotional Reaction. Stress can affect ones emotions in the following ways.
irritability.
Anger.
helplessness or sadness.
experiencing a sense of overwhelm.
As these feelings persist over time, they may give rise to more serious illnesses like depression or anxiety disorders.
3. Alterations in behavior. Additionally, stress can alter behavior. These are typical ways it happens:
Social disengagement.
shifts in sleep or appetite.
elevated use of drugs like alcohol tobacco or caffeine.
Being restless or putting things off.
Acute versus. Prolonged stress.
Like studying for an exam or giving a presentation in front of others acute stress is transient and typically goes away quickly. Long-term chronic stress is caused by ongoing difficulties (e. g. financial stress abusive relationships or stressful work situations).
Whereas acute stress is encouraging and even shielding, chronic stress is associated with a broad set of health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, compromised immunity, and mental disorders.
As much as people want to get rid of stress in their life, it is often the most inevitable and unavoidable part of life. Just like change is the only constant, having life experiences which cause us stress whether large or small is always present.
Eustress vs Distress
In therapy, there is a distinction between the stress we feel. Let us take an example of a student preparing for their final exams, the datesheet is out yet the student refuses to start their preparations. Two things can be noted here, if the student thinks that if they do not start studying right now, then they might not do well in the exam. So with this thought the exam preparations start. If the student ignores this thought and the exam date approaches and due to under-preparation begins to think they are absolutely going to fail the exam. There is nothing they can do now. And thus, instead of studying they pray, they talk to people about how under-prepared they are and they may even distract themselves by watching a few tv shows. What needs to be focused here is that one line of thought motivates the student and the other thought pattern completely instills fear in the student which leads to further avoidance of the desired task/situation. Eustress is that type of stress which creates enough motivation within an individual where they can start doing something or be motivated to change the current patterns. Whereas, Distress is one which completely shakes and crumbles that motivation and instead acts opposite to it where being scared and in fear leads to avoidance and more debilitating anxiety about the uncertain future.
Therefore, as it stands, stress is inevitable and a part of life, we keep going back and forth between experiencing eustress and distress.
These ten indicators suggest that stress counseling might be beneficial for you.
1. You feel overwhelmed all the time.
A warning sign is when everyday chores seem insurmountable and youre continuously fighting to stay afloat. If you feel overburdened all the time it could mean that your stress levels are higher than you can handle.
2. You are not sleeping well.
Stress can interfere with sleep, as evidenced by problems falling asleep,p frequent nighttime awakenings or nightmares. Additionally, getting little sleep makes stress worse, creating a vicious cycle.
3. You’re angrier than usual.
Elevated stress can cause your fuse to burn short, leading to constant irritability or mood swings. Do you see your patience as thin as a razor and are you short with loved ones about little things?
4. You’re tense or anxious all the time.
An ongoing mind worry or being on edge are signs of anxiety that are often brought on by or made worse by ongoing stress. Counseling can help you learn how to control and calm this restlessness in your mind.
5. The cause of your physical symptoms is unclear.
Frequent colds, strained muscles, persistent headaches or digestive problems could all be signs that your body is experiencing too much stress. It might be time to look for emotional causes when physical symptoms persist even after receiving medical attention.
6. You feel detached or emotionally numb.
It could be a sign of emotional burnout brought on by ongoing stress if you find yourself coasting on autopilot, disengaged from people, or unenthusiastic about things that used to make you happy.
7. Unhealthy coping mechanisms are being used by you.
Your ability to cope with or escape from your emotions may be lacking, and you may require professional assistance if you turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol, overeating, excessive TV or computer use, or other unhealthy behaviors
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8. Your relationships and work are suffering.
Stress affects all facets of life and doesn’t stay in one place. Counseling can help you regain balance if you’re struggling to complete your obligations or if conflicts are growing at work or at home.
9. You feel stuck or without hope.
Critical warning signs include a sense of helplessness, being trapped and unable to move, or believing that nothing will change. These should never be ignored, and a counselor can help you find clarity and support.
10. Your sense of self is evaporating.
It’s clear that you need help when stress changes your perception of yourself making you feel less capable, less self-assured, or like you’re not you anymore. Online Counselling helps you reestablish resilience and rediscover your strengths.