Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is apparent havoc in people’s mental health as they struggle to cope with the disturbances it has caused in addition to other daily stressors in life. Almost half of adult Americans report a negative impact on their behavior due to long-term stress brought on by the pandemic.
Our bodies are designed to handle stress but not for a long period of time. Chronic stress has detrimental impacts on the body if not managed properly.
What Are the Signs of Stress?
Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to a rise of multiple remarked physical and emotional symptoms. Here are the note-worthy manifestations of stress:
Physical
- Increased blood pressure
- Body ache
- Headache
- Sleep disturbance
- Stomach problems
- Weak immune system
Emotional
- Irritable
- Anxious
- Depressed
- Aggressive
- Overthinking
- Loss of interest in things you once liked
The Most Common Causes of Stress
Stressors do not have to be major depressing changes in life or traumatic events. Stressors can also be those little hassles, delays, uncontrollability, and pressure you experience from day-to-day living. The most common areas where stress cultivates are as follows:
School or Work
- Being under the pressure of deadlines
- Work overload
- Annoying workmates
- Overwhelming responsibilities
Financial
- Bills
- loan payments
- Saving money
Interpersonal Relationships
- Family problems
- Conflicts in relationships
Personal
- Facing big changes
- Sense of uncontrollability
- Not having enough engagement in life
- Health concerns (Coronavirus pandemic)
What are the symptoms of chronic stress?
Chronic stress is a type of stress that persists over an extended period of time and can have negative effects on physical and mental health. Some common symptoms of chronic stress include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in appetite (either increased or decreased)
- Low energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Headaches or muscle tension
- Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Persistent negative thinking
- Excessive worry or anxiety
Reducing chronic stress through lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and practicing relaxation techniques, can help to improve your overall well-being.
What chronic stress does to your body?
Chronic stress can have a number of negative effects on the body. Here are a few ways that chronic stress can impact your health:
Affects the immune system: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness and infection.
Increases risk of heart disease: Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood pressure and increasing the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol.
Affects digestion: Chronic stress can cause digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach ulcers, and acid reflux.
Affects mental health: Chronic stress can contribute to the development of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Affects reproductive health: Chronic stress can interfere with the menstrual cycle in women and may also contribute to fertility problems.
Affects skin health: Chronic stress can cause skin problems, such as acne and eczema.
It is important to manage chronic stress to maintain good physical and mental health. There are a number of ways to reduce chronic stress, including getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, practicing relaxation techniques, and seeking support from friends and family.
How to Manage Stress and Soothe Your Nervous System
Exercise When You Feel Symptoms of Stress Coming On
Regular exercise improves mood and helps you relax as it boosts the production of endorphins or the so-called feel-good neurotransmitter. Endorphins are not only endogenous painkillers when we do strenuous activities such as exercising but it also gives you a feeling of optimism and relaxation after a nice sweaty exercise.
Go for a walk, do a quick jog, lift weights, or follow a workout routine on Youtube. You can use Energy Strain Kratom which may provide extra energy, sharpness, concentration, and productivity when working out.
Sleep Enough for Reducing Stress Levels
Stress and sleep are highly correlated. In a study by the American Psychological Association, 21% of adults feel more stressed when they do not get enough sleep. Also, 45% of adults with high-stress levels report far more distress without good sleep. Further research from APA reported that an extra hour of sleep would make most Americans feel significantly happier and healthier.
However, if you are having trouble getting a better quality of sleep, there are kratom strains that may help you achieve a better quality of sleep. There are a lot of types of kratom that may help to improve your sleep quality. Red vein strains may help you relieve stress and may improve sleep quality.
Try to Relax in the Evenings
Both your mind and body need time to be peaceful, quiet, and relaxed. Meditation is a great way to relax your tense muscles and have a moment to breathe. Place yourself comfortably in a room and let yourself be free of the mind from intrusive and anxiety-inducing thoughts you suffer from the day. Kratom may be an aid for your meditation for more productive days without the brain fog by alleviating stress.
How can I reduce stress permanently?
Here are a few tips for reducing stress permanently:
Practice relaxation techniques: There are a number of relaxation techniques that can help to reduce stress, including deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. Find a relaxation technique that works for you and practice it regularly.
Exercise regularly: Exercise can help to reduce stress by releasing endorphins, which are chemicals that can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, every day.
Eat a healthy diet: A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to support overall health and well-being. Avoid processed and sugary foods, which can contribute to stress and other health problems.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can contribute to stress, so it is important to get enough sleep to feel rested and refreshed. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Manage your time effectively: Poor time management can lead to increased stress, so it is important to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.
Seek support: It is important to have a supportive network of friends and family to help you cope with stress. Don’t be afraid to seek help from a healthcare professional if you are struggling to manage your stress.
By implementing these strategies, you can help to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
When does stress become chronic?
Stress becomes chronic when it persists over an extended period of time and begins to interfere with your daily life. Chronic stress can be caused by a variety of factors, including work-related stress, financial stress, relationship stress, and health-related stress.
It can be difficult to determine when stress becomes chronic, as everyone’s tolerance for stress is different. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of stress, such as difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, low energy or fatigue, difficulty concentrating or memory problems, mood changes, or persistent negative thinking, and these symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it is important to address the stress and seek help if needed.
Chronic stress can have negative effects on both physical and mental health, so it is important to find ways to manage stress and maintain good overall health. There are a number of strategies that can help to reduce chronic stress, including practicing relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends and family.
Is chronic stress just anxiety?
Chronic stress and anxiety are closely related and can often overlap. Chronic stress is a state of prolonged physical and emotional tension that can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work-related stress, financial stress, relationship stress, and health-related stress. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, and anxiety can also cause or contribute to chronic stress. For example, if you are experiencing chronic stress at work, you may develop anxiety about your job performance or the future of your job. Similarly, if you have anxiety about an upcoming event, such as a wedding or a job interview, you may experience chronic stress as a result.
It is important to manage both chronic stress and anxiety to maintain good overall health. There are a number of strategies that can help to reduce chronic stress and anxiety, including practicing relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends and family. In some cases, it may also be helpful to seek professional help, such as therapy or medication, to manage chronic stress and anxiety.
What happens if you don’t treat chronic stress?
If chronic stress is not treated, it can have serious negative effects on both physical and mental health. Here are a few ways that chronic stress can affect your health if it is not treated:
Weakens the immune system: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness and infection.
Increases risk of heart disease: Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood pressure and increasing the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol.
Affects digestion: Chronic stress can cause digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach ulcers, and acid reflux.
Affects mental health: Chronic stress can contribute to the development of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Affects reproductive health: Chronic stress can interfere with the menstrual cycle in women and may also contribute to fertility problems.
Affects skin health: Chronic stress can cause skin problems, such as acne and eczema.
It is important to manage chronic stress to maintain good physical and mental health. There are a number of strategies that can help to reduce chronic stress, including practicing relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and seeking support from friends and family.
In some cases, it may also be helpful to seek professional help, such as therapy or medication, to manage chronic stress.
Conclusion
Everyday life stores many different stressors and most of them are out of our control. But what we do control is the way we receive and manage stress. Effective stress management with the help of organic products such as Kratom Powder may elevate your mental health and protect you from the harm of prolonged stress.
