Anyone else a little stressed? The festive season has arrived and I’m just not ready! Expectations are high and stress levels are rising. Of course we all know we should try to destress but attempting to becomes even more stressful. Trying to fit in that hot lavender scented bath, meditating or going for a walk. Begs the question, what is the point of stress, and can this help us?
Stress is normal, protective even. Designed to get us to move faster, do things quicker, work better. But here’s the catch - it should be transient. Herein lies the problem of modern day, with instant communications, faster production, quicker delivery. There’s never any downtime. So this brilliant stress response never rests. And we constantly feel like we are being attacked.
Stress Response – When it works
It’s a normal protective response helping your body react to any threat, be it running for your life from a lion, or suddenly getting a bill you weren’t expecting. Hormones instantly flood from your hypothalamus triggering adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal gland (found resting on top of the kidneys).
Adrenaline causes your heart beat faster and increases blood pressure, getting more oxygen to your muscles, very much needed if you are about to run for your life. Cortisol summons more glucose (sugar) in the blood for energy, whilst also helping the brain’s ability to use it.
Brilliant for the short term when you need to think harder or run faster. Unfortunately, these hormones also stop other things working. Digestion, reproduction, immune system, growth. All not needed when trying to deal with the immediate threat. No problem if it’s temporary but can cause lots of problems if it lasts too long.
Stress gone wild
This stress response should be self limiting once perceived threats have gone away. But today’s challenging lifestyle, with all the demands it entails, means threats are always there. The stress response never calms down.
Persistent adrenaline and cortisol disrupt loads of body processes, putting you at risk of a plethora of health problems. Your gut can’t work very well, so you get digestive issues. Your heart gets exhausted, leading to heart disease. Your immune system doesn’t work very well, causing persistent illness. And your brain stops reacting to these hormones, causing brain fog, depression and anxiety.
Hence why learning how to reduce your stress response is so important!
Strategies to alleviate stress
Our world is full of people telling you how to relax. But what actually works?
To be honest what works for one person may not work for you. Trial and error is needed. My advice…..pick one of these ideas and try it out a few times. Really consider whether it worked for you. If it didn’t move on and try another.
Go for a walk (or run). Exercise in almost any form reduces stress exercise is a well known cure for stress, reducing the stress hormones and encouraging endorphins
Keep a journal. The physical act of writing down your thoughts and feelings about stressful events can modulate the stress response
Take time for hobbies. Assign at least half and hour every day to do the things you love
Foster healthy friendships. Set aside time every day to talk to friends or family without interruption.
Volunteer in your community. Can provide perspective and a sense of wellbeing.
See a counsellor. They can teach you ways to manage your stress.
Learning to manage stress can be incredibly rewarding but don’t stress about it. Pick one thing, try it for a while, if it sticks and helps you then brilliant. If it doesn’t then try something else.
And in the run up to Christmas it’s worth considering the extra loads you are taking on. Sometimes we simply need to prioritise what is important to us.
Happy Christmas everyone!