Do you know what chronic stress can do to your body?

Stress is a natural physiological response to challenges and demands in our daily lives. However, when chronic and unchecked, stress can have various adverse effects on the body's physical and mental health. While it is impossible to completely eradicate stress from our lives, there are several coping mechanisms that can help individuals manage stress and its negative impact on their body and mind.

When the body is under stress, it triggers the release of several hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. While these hormones provide the body with a burst of energy that helps in situations of fight or flight, long-term exposure to these hormones can have severe impacts on the body. Prolonged stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function. Stress can also lead to insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

One way to manage stress is through physical activity. Exercise has been shown to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body, increase the production of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), and improve overall mood. Any form of exercise that an individual enjoys can help, be it running, yoga, team sports, or dancing.

Another way to manage stress is through self-care. Taking time to engage in activities that one enjoys and finding a balance between work and leisure time can help reduce stress levels. Engaging in hobbies, spending time with friends and family, and doing something relaxing like taking a bath or reading a book can all help decrease stress levels.

Mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, and visualization techniques are also effective ways to manage stress. Meditation and deep breathing help the body relax and reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body. Visualisation techniques, where an individual imagines being in a peaceful environment, can help reduce stress levels by diverting the mind from the situation causing the stress.

Lastly, seeking professional help is an option for those experiencing chronic stress. Counsellors or therapists can provide stress management techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy, which involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to stress.