When do we know if we are too stressed?

Life can get overwhelming at times. We can have many assignments to complete, so many responsibilities to uphold, multiple deadlines to meet, yet everyone only has 24 hours a day and limited energy in our bodies.

How do we know if we are too stressed then?

Stress is a natural response to pressure. Anything our minds perceive to be a challenge or danger, our bodies will react in a way to protect ourselves.

Stress can be a motivator and help us become more efficient and effective. However, when there is too much stress, your physical and mental health will take a turn for the worse.

How can stress affect us and why should we care?

The 2 Main Types of Stress

1. Acute Stress

   1. Everybody experiences acute stress. It can be stress towards a particular event, such as an argument, exam, deadline etc. Typically, the stress will naturally dissipate after the event or source of concern is removed or resolved. For example, you will feel more relaxed after completing your exams.

2. Chronic Stress

   1. Chronic stress occurs when you are constantly stressed about something over an extended period of time. This usually happens when you have an unhealthy belief or a problem that is not within your control to resolve.

   2. For example, for people living in a dysfunctional household, their stressor is something that is close to home and physically unavoidable, leading to them feeling stressed on a daily basis.

   3. Chronic stress can lead to a myriad of health issues, such as

      1. High Blood Pressure

      2. Heart Disease

      3. Depression

      4. Stroke

      5. and more…

As such, too much stress is harmful and unhelpful. So how do you know when you are too stressed?

Many of us go through life in a fast-paced rhythm, failing to pay attention to the alarming signs of excessive stress.

Signs of Chronic Stress

Some Mental Signs:

1. Feeling moody, down, lonely and depressed

2. Being irritable and easily frustrated

3. Unable to calm the mind and loss of focus

4. Isolating yourself

5. Making poor judgments

Some Physical Signs:

1. Headaches

2. Upset Stomach

3. Falling sick easily; weakened immune system

4. A racing heartbeat, sweaty feet and hands

5. Insomnia

What happens when we identify our stressors and start managing our stress?

When you decide to manage your stress, you will start to experience positive changes in both your mental state and physical health. Not only will you feel happier and more relaxed, but you will also naturally become more optimistic, productive and efficient at your work and have better and more stable relationships.

Practising mindfulness and implementing consciousness into your daily life can help you to identify what is stressing you out. Notice when you feel stressed and identify what is around you and what are your thoughts and beliefs about the situation. Understand if there are better alternatives to them.

When you worry less and feel less pressured, you will feel more composed and relaxed, and it allows for better cognitive function and better decision-making skills. Not only will you get your work done more efficiently, but it will also likely be done with better quality. Your interpersonal relationships will improve and meaningful relationships are definitely fundamental to a happier life. You will be more motivated to take on new challenges in life and with that comes growth.

Better physical health inevitably leads to a happier and more pain-free life. Poor physical health can also cause mental distress, and it becomes a vicious cycle. Exercise has been scientifically proven to be an effective stress-reliever and it helps to maintain physical fitness as well. Thus, prioritising physical health is key to living a less stressful life.

Done By: Sugimoto Shoujin