Stress is something that most of us experience at some point in our lives.
In most people, it’s a natural state that comes on when things get a bit hectic and goes when they start to calm down.
However, some people can get overwhelmed by stressful situations and this can have a big impact on their wellbeing and happiness. Keeping a balanced mood and emotions is key to managing stress. Here, we take a closer look at what stress is and share our top tips for achieving better balance.
• What is Stress?
Stress is created by your body’s response to feeling threatened or under pressure. It’s very common and in small bouts, isn’t usually a problem. In fact, stress can help motivate you to achieve things, hit deadlines or targets and meet the demands of your daily home, family and work life. But too much stress can start to have a negative impact on both your mental and emotional wellbeing, and your physical health. It can make you feel restless, anxious and irritable, and affect your self-esteem.
When your body is experiencing stress, it can also put additional strain on your organs and key body functions, which can manifest itself in a host of symptoms, from acne, hair loss and nausea to muscle cramps, exhaustion and fatigue – also known as burnout. If not dealt with properly, stress can cause you to shut down mentally and emotionally.
• What are the Symptoms of Stress?
Stress can manifest itself in a host of ways that can have a negative impact on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Memory loss, confusion and difficulty with concentration are some of the most common tell-tale signs of stress and are usually brought about when you’re under pressure at work or dealing with some type of emotional disturbance.
You may also find it more difficult to create short-term memories when you’re stressed, such as remembering details from an important work meeting if you haven’t written them down or recalling exactly what was said during an argument. Restlessness, lack of motivation and irritability are also side effects of stress, and these feelings often don’t fade until things have calmed down and your body feels less pressured or threatened.
However, the effects of stress can leave you feeling drained and deflated, which can lead to depression and other mental health issues if left unchecked. Stress symptoms affect not only your mind, but your body and emotions, too. It can cause you to behave in ways that you wouldn’t normally and feel low, lonely and isolated.
The main physical symptoms of stress include headaches, muscle tension, chest pain and sleep problems. These can all lead to more severe long-term health issues if left untreated. And the hormones your body produces in response to stress can affect your respiratory and cardiovascular systems, exacerbating existing issues like asthma or high blood pressure. Stress can also affect your digestive system and increase your risk of developing a host of chronic conditions, including stomach ulcers and Type-2 Diabetes.
And although stress helps stimulate the immune system to help it fight infections and heal wounds, over time, too many stress hormones can weaken your immune system and leave you more susceptible to flu, common colds and other illnesses.
• Top Tips for Stress Management
The key to beating stress is all about maintaining better mental and emotional balance, so when you’re under pressure, you don’t automatically go into shutdown mode and feel like you can’t cope. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to restore balance and combat stress naturally, including:
Eating healthily
We’ve stressed this point in many of our blogs, but a clean diet is one of the cornerstones of better health and wellbeing. Getting more whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats and fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet will not only improve your physical health, but also help enhance your mental wellbeing.
Foods that are high in processed sugar and fat can impact your mood. Excess sugar can overstimulate the parts of your brain associated with mood and behaviour, causing spikes and crashes. Alcohol, nicotine and caffeine can have a similarly negative effect.
And while junk food can make you happy while you’re eating it, it can cause a slump in mood afterwards. So, cleaning up your diet is a must if you want to feel less stressed. However, the occasional treat or ‘cheat day’ can help enhance your mood and prevent cravings. Just remember that balance and moderation is key and keep them as the exception, rather than the rule.
Exercise
The importance of exercise also cannot be overstated. It can help improve your physical fitness, maintain a healthy weight and get your body in better condition, but it can also benefit your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, the natural hormones which help stimulate the brain and lift your mood. These can help fight the effects of stress and sharpen your focus. Exercise is also a great way to unwind after a stressful day. If you’re hitting the gym and lifting heavy weights, running in the cool, fresh air or taking a nice, refreshing swim, it can help take your mind off your worries and tire out your body if you’re feeling restless.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of becoming more conscious and aware of yourself, your thought patterns and your emotions. While it takes many different forms – including meditation, yoga and self-affirmation – becoming more mindful of what you’re going through and focusing on the solution can help you beat stress. Remember, stress is a natural reaction to the things in daily life which make you feel uncomfortable.
Keeping things in perspective is crucial to managing stress and while some circumstances are beyond your control, you can learn to cope with – and accept – them. Staying calm and being willing to accept support from others, rather than reacting emotionally to stressful situations, can help you work through them. Taking a step back, looking at what’s bothering you for what it truly is, and resolving to move on will also help get you back on a more even keel.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a great way to calm your mind, relax your body and still your raging emotions. Aromatherapy is a therapeutic process that harnesses the essences of natural essential oils to help you destress, relax and stay calm.
There are many ways you can benefit from the healing power of essential oils. Lighting an aromatherapy candle or using your favourite essential oil in an oil burner will unlock their deep and calming aromas. They are perfect for creating a calming atmosphere while you’re doing yoga, meditating or practising mindfulness. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your bathwater for a nice, relaxing soak. And an aromatherapy massage will help soothe and relax aching bones and muscles. Just remember to read the label and use a carrier oil, if necessary, as some essential oils can burn if they are applied directly to the skin.
Natural supplements
Natural supplements are a great way of topping up any nutrients that you feel are missing from your diet. Nutri-Calm, for example, is a good way of naturally supporting your nervous system and brain with the vitamins and minerals that can be depleted in times of stress. And our 5-HTP formula helps to raise serotonin levels which can lead to an increased feeling of happiness. This helps to reduce anxiety and stress and encourage a well-balanced mood.
Check out these links to find out more:
- Nerves, Stress, Relax & Sleep
- Respiratory System
- Circulation & Heart Health
- Immune System
- Weight Management
- Aromatherapy
- Essential Oils
- Soy-Wax Candles
- Nutri-Calm
- Lily & Loaf 5HTP
Disclaimer:
Information and other content provided in Lily & Loaf blogs should not be construed as medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. If you have any medical concerns, you should consult with your health care provider.
