25/07/2020
Stress levels seem to be high in India compare to other countries both developed and emerging, says a survey conducted by Cigna TTK Health Insurance. About 89% of the population in India says they are suffering from stress compare to the global average of 86%. Work and finance are the key reasons people attribute their stress to.
According to Hans Seley Stress means “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”. So it is a normal reaction the body has when experiences changes out of its familiar or comfortable zone. The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. To combat stressful situation, the autonomic nervous system of human body responses by producing a set of symptoms in physical level.
Stress is normal part of daily life and is of two basic types i.e. Distress (related to physical, mental or emotional strain or tension) and Eustress (i.e. increases stress results in increases productivity, which is also called Good Stress).
So Distress is the negative condition or feeling experienced by a person when she/ he perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources to execute or resolve the things. It’s initiated by stressors from our surrounding environment (outer world) and from intrinsic factors (eg. high ambition or expectations in comparison to achieving capability). It can disturb the body’s internal balance or equilibrium, leading to common physical symptoms such as headache, stomach upset, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, sexual dysfunction and sleeping disorder. Emotional problems can also result from distress like depression, panic attacks, anxiety, worry etc.
Distress creates sudden and acute change in mental plane which affects neuro-endocrinal system and produces sudden discomfort or ill health. It can create life threatening situation as well (Stress is linked to worldwide one of the six leading causes of death).
Sustained stressful condition affects immunity and may deteriorates body, thought process, emotional faculties and may create end number of chronic diseases, commonly known as Psychosomatic disorders or Non-communicable and lifestyle disorders.
Few moral guidelines to combat daily life stress:
• Try to enjoy every moment of present life. Imbibe satisfaction in your character. Don’t get much serious about each and every act of daily life.
• Competitiveness, goal setting and achieving are appreciable to obtain certain things, but don’t make it your compulsive behavior. In the same way avoid imbibing a perfectionist attitude.
• Accept your mistakes of life. Rectify and learn from it, but don’t feel guilt for bad deeds of past.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive.
• Human is a unique creature. So respect people’s individuality. Try to respect and praise the good sides of your nears and dears.
• Realize the higher purpose of life. It’s more related to living for others instead of living for self.
Few techniques to release daily-life stress:
• Have nutritious meal at least 3 times a day, drink adequate amount water and sleep well.
• Daily physical exercises also increases brain feel good neurotransmitters to release stress.
• Meditation creates diminishes mental turmoil and improve insight.
• Learn to manage time more effectively.
• Social interaction is recommended. Social isolation may make people more withdrawn, moody and irritable.
• Spending quality time with self, family and friends. Through inculcating hobbies one can give quality time to self.
• No shame to ask for social support in crisis.
• Avoiding to***co, alcohol and other drugs. Use of to***co or alcohol or other drugs to cope with emotions or boredom can worsen physical, mental health and reduce immunity. People who have a substance use problem may require professional help, especially when they feel low in mood or stressed.
• Seek health professional’s support in mental and physical health related issues.
• Avoid judging people. No one knows adequately what kind of challenges others are facing in their lives.
• Life is precious. Learn to enjoy simplicity and be thankful to Creator for your existence on this earth.
Dr. Kathika Chattopadhyay
9910860193/ dr.kathika@gmail.com
