A basic guide to understanding stress and managing it
What started off on a high and positive note, the year 2020 has been a tough year for many. Globally, the pandemic caused by the coronavirus has so far had the greatest impact in the lives of billions of people. With the combination of isolation and the stress of coping with a global pandemic, there is a toxic environment created for many grappling with mental health issues. Experts debate that stress during a disruption of this sort is normal as the uncertainty in the air is very overwhelming and can cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress in a healthy way will impact your life, the people you care about, and make your community stronger. Read below to identify your triggers and how you can overcome them.
Types of stress
The pandemic coupled with daily personal and professional demands is likely to have you experience stress at various levels. It is important that you watch out for physical signs in your body to identify stress in its nascent stage. Stress can be divided into acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is from temporary situation like being stuck in a traffic jam, chronic stress is from situations that do not have a quick response like unemployment. Signs and symptoms
Signs include pain and tension in muscles, high blood pressure, digestive problems etc. These usually happen when there is a temporary stressor. For example – you are late for your meeting or someone in your surroundings is tested positive for COVID. You might find your heart race for the moment and calm down once the moment has passed. Stay vigilant to identify a repeat of such episodes, as continuous occurrences of acute stress can lead to major concerns.Â
In many ways, stress help you rise to meet challenges. However, beyond a point, it can cause serious damage to your mental and physical being. Cognitive symptoms to watch out for include memory problems, poor concentration and judgement, constant worrying and concentrating on the negatives. Emotional triggers such as depression, anxiety, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, isolation and other mental and emotional health problems should not be ignored. If you find yourself with a disturbed sleep pattern, loss of appetite, procrastinating etc., you should look for healthy ways to manage it. Many would usually turn to drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other harmful substances to cope with stress, which is totally not recommended.Â
Managing stress
- Talk to people – your family and friends make for good listeners. Sharing your personal and professional load with them will help you lessen the burden on yourself. Talk to them specially if you have undergone major life changes, relationship difficulties, or financial struggles
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and a great balance of diet, sleep and exerciseÂ
- Stays socially active via your phone, computer and in-person meetings
- Engage your senses – work around a combination of sight, sound, taste, smell, touch or movement. Find your calm and engage with it often
- Relaxation techniques can help. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing when practiced regularly will help reduce stress
- Talk to a healthcare professional for advice and treatment
Early recognition of signs and symptoms is the first step towards solving it. Once you identify your source of stress, you can find appropriate ways to manage it. For effective stress management in Dubai, get in touch with us. At Evolve Brain Training we specialize in non-invasive treatments and by the end of your customized treatment, you will find yourself overcome your emotions even in stressful situations.
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, a Neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain's true potential.
