How to Kick Stress to the Curb!

Everyone experiences stress when they feel overloaded, overwhelmed, or have trouble coping. Stress is your body’s protective mechanism against danger and distress, and it honestly is essential for survival. Stress becomes problematic, however, when it turns chronic. It can lead to physical and mental health conditions, including chronic pain and disease, heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

You don’t have to suffer from stress. There are many natural tools you can use to manage stress. There is help available from medical and mental health professionals. This article will discuss anxiety, its types, causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and natural stress management tools.

What is Stress

Stress is your body’s natural defense mechanism when any form of danger arises. Stress quickly runs through your body, creating a “flight-or-fight” mechanism that aims to protect you either by staying to fight the source of danger or by running away as fast as you can.

This stress response comes with physical changes in your body. Your heart rate and alertness may increase, you start breathing faster, sweating, and your muscles may tighten or prepare for a fight. Your immune reactivity also speeds up, your digestive system slows down, and your ability to fall asleep decreases. If a virus attacks your body, you need to rest, but if a bear chases you, there is no time to take a bathroom break or nap. Chemicals, such as cortisol and adrenaline levels, also rise in your body.

Nowadays, stress comes from all areas. Environmental stresses include rushing cars, loud noises, aggressive conduct, stress from job, school, or exciting events like first dates or home purchases.

Stress is not always bad. If there is a true danger, stress is there to protect you. The problem is that when everything is stressful, your body can’t differentiate real danger from harmless, small, everyday issues. (1, 2, 3, 4)

Types of Stress

Understanding the stress and knowing what to do is essential to learning the difference between different forms of stress. (1, 5)

Acute stress is the most common way that stress occurs. Short-term stress often arises when considering pressures of recent or upcoming events, such as deadlines, weddings, or important meetings. Such stress may lead to headaches or an upset stomach, but it resolves once the event is over and does not lead to long-term problems. Acute stress can also be caused by an accident or injury. (5)
Episodic Acute stress is a frequently experienced acute stress. For example, if you have trouble keeping organized, you may be stressed with hard deadlines or meetings where you have to present your ideas. Those experiencing episodic acute stress tend to become more tense, irritable, and worried. Their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic stress are higher. (5)
Chronic stress is the most harmful type of stress and is a silent killer, leading to other serious health problems. Chronic stress is long-term and ongoing. Living in a dysfunctional family, having an unhappy marriage, persistent poverty, continuous experiences of abuse, or a high-pressure job can lead to chronic stress. When the source of stress is ongoing, and one doesn’t find a way to cope or stop the issue, the body stops seeking solutions. Chronic stress can become unnoticed. It is easy to get used to the stress and start viewing it as a norm. When you see others experiencing similar situations, it’s even easier to believe it is not a big deal. The body can’t be fooled, though. Chronic stress can affect someone’s overall well-being, including physical and mental health. It can lead to serious consequences, including chronic health issues, heart attacks, strokes, violent actions, and suicide. (5)

Causes of Stress

We live in a stressful, fast-paced world. National stress level averages are at 5.1 on a 1 to 10 scale and rising. Stress can have many causes, and it often depends on the individual. What is stressful to some may not be stressful or as stressful to others. In most cases, people experience stress due to multiple factors such as (1, 22)

Job issues, job stress, job dissatisfaction
Job loss
Retirement
School issues
Lack of money and financial troubles
Poverty or lack of essential resources
Lack of time
Family problems
Death in the family
Health issues (physical or mental health)
Moving
Relationships, marriage, divorce, break-ups
Abortion or miscarriage
Pregnancy and becoming a parents
Being unable to conceive
Living in an unsafe neighborhood
Driving in heavy traffic or fear of accidents
Excessive noise, overcrowding, and pollution
Uncertainty in life
Waiting for a significant outcome
Experience or fear of any form of abuse, violence, or bullying
Trauma

Internal Factors That Cause Stress (1):

Pessimism
Internal negative self-talk
Perfectionism
Rigid thinking
Inability to accept uncertainty
Low self-esteem
All-or-nothing attitude
Unrealistic expectations

Sometimes the cause of stress is not clear. The pressure and stress of depression or anxiety can lead to mental health issues. A traumatic event can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Factors that may influence someone’s experience with stress include (1):

Having or lacking a support network
One’sOne’s a sense of control
Attitude and outlook
Ability to deal with emotions
Knowledge of and preparation for stress

One’sOne’s upbringing and history of trauma may also influence these factors. However, it’s possible to learn ways to manage, such as actively having a positive attitude or outlook, learning to handle emotions, preparing for stressful events positively, and having self-confidence to feel in control.

Symptoms of High Stress

Symptoms of stress depend on the individual and the cause, type, and stress level. Symptoms of anxiety can differ from person to person and include some or all of the following physical, emotional and behavioral effects.

Physical effects of stress:

Sweating
Cramps or muscle spasms
Muscle aches
Sleep difficulties
Headaches
Back pain
Chest pain
Stomach pain
Fainting
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Lower immunity
Erectile dysfunction
Pins and needles feeling
Nervous twitches
Shaking
Obesity

Emotional Symptoms of Stress:

Anxiety
Depression
Sadness
Anger
Concentration issues
Feeling insecure
Burnout
Fatigue
Lack of interest
Restlessness
Fears and phobias

Behavioral Symptoms of Stress:

Food cravings, eating too much or too little, emotional eating, binge eating
Sudden angry outburst
Drug or alcohol use, misuse, or abuse
Smoking
Nail-biting
Frequent crying
Social withdrawal
Relationship problems
Verbal or physical violence

Diagnosis of Stress

A diagnosis of stress is not precise and cut as it is not only complex and depends on many factors but is not a medical condition itself. Your doctor or mental health expert can diagnose stress by assessing your symptoms and asking about your life experiences. Questionnaires, biochemical measures, and physiological testing may involve a face-to-face, detailed evaluation.

Treatment and Management of Stress

Treatments and management of stress differ case by case. They can include supplementation, medication, therapy, self-help, and natural stress management methods. All of us experience stress in our busy modern-day life. Knowing how to manage and respond to stress is crucial for preventing health difficulties and living a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. (1, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Medication for Stress

Your doctor cannot prescribe medication for stress itself. Sorry, there is no magic fix to make your demanding boss, marriage difficulties, or financial troubles disappear.

Suppose there is an underlying medical cause of stress, such as a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. In that case, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or other medication. If you’ve developed a mental health condition due to stress, you may be prescribed medication. Medication for mental health issues is usually used in combination with therapy to help you respond to stress better and to change your thinking and behavior.

Stress-related physical issues may necessitate medicine. Remember, the medication will not make the pressure go away. You must learn how to manage your stress levels so your health doesn’t decline further but can improve instead.

Therapy for Stress

Whether you have a mental illness, you can learn new abilities to deal with, manage, and respond to stress through therapy or counseling.

It can teach you how to better deal with your emotions or negative thinking, change your behavior and build self-esteem. It can help uncover and work through trauma, childhood issues, unknown triggers, emotional woes, and daily stress. You can learn communication and relationship skills to improve your marriage, romantic relationships, friendships, and personal or professional relationships.

Simply talking with a supportive, unbiased professional can be helpful.

If you are not up for therapy or counseling, you may consider spiritual counseling, life coaching, or peer support groups.

Calling or texting a hotline is also available for you in any stressful, complex, or crisis or whenever you need to talk to someone. You can find a list of relevant hotlines here: http://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/.

Natural Stress Management

The good news is that there are several natural stress management tools and methods you can learn and use by yourself.

Exercise is a powerful stress reliever that releases happy chemicals known as endorphins in your body. It can relieve anxiety, lift your mood, aid sleep and help with the pain. Exercise can help with the mental processing of stress as well. (1, 10, 11)
Yoga is more than exercise; but a fantastic tool to help with the mind-body connection. It can help you slow down, be present, be in your body, relax, stretch out, control anxiety, help sleep, and achieve physical and psychological balance. If you are not into yoga, tai chi can bring you similar benefits. (1, 11, 12)
Meditation can help you deal with anxiety, worry, stress, and sadness. Through meditation, you can find balance, peace of mind, and be in the present. It can help with mindfulness, becoming more attentive, ending addictions, and improving mental health. Meditation, yoga, and tai chi can help you feel more relaxed and emotionally stable when facing real-life stress. (1, 13, 14, 15)
Acupuncture treats imbalances in your body by stimulating meridian points with tiny needles. It can help your nervous system, hormonal health, blood sugar balance, and mood, among other things. (16, 17)
Nutrient-Dense Whole Foods Diet is essential to a stress-free life. Your body needs a steady supply of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. A body that is not fed well can become compromised during times of stress, whereas a well-nourished body can help you respond to and deal with stress better. Instead, eat lots of plant-based meals such as greens and vegetables, fruits and nuts, seeds, and entire grains and legumes. Adaptogen herbs, such as ashwagandha and maca, can also be helpful to fight stress and balance your hormones naturally. (1)
Essential Oils such as lavender, frankincense, bergamot, and myrrh can help you fight stress. They can help sleep, digestion, relaxation, reduction of inflammation, immunity, hormonal balance, and pain. (18)
Time in nature helps you gain a fresh and new perspective. The fresh air can help you clear your mind, uplift your mood, engage your senses and help you sleep. Time in nature can help you realize how large the universe is and put your worries into perspective. Nature is also a perfect place to exercise, meditate, relax, or connect with others. (1, 19)
Being Social with other people face-to-face can trigger hormones that relieve stress. A smile or hug can mean the world and uplift your mood. A good conversation can help you gain a new perspective, feel heard and find support. Having a social life can help you create close relationships and a supportive network of people who can lift you and be there in times of crisis. Being there for your friends and family can also help you feel better. (1, 19)
Journaling is one of the most effective ways to release what’s on your mind. Tracking your emotions helps you heal trauma, cope with feelings, expose your inner self to the world, solve problems, forgive and find gratitude. There are many ways to journal. You can free write, use prompts, keep a gratitude journal, track your emotions and symptoms, list your desires, set goals, etc. It may be best to keep several journals for different purposes. Handwriting is the best, but you can type on your computer or phone or even keep a video or voice diary if you want to. (20)
Breathing exercises are potent tools to override the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the fight-or-flight response. It can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax and remain in control. You can combine breathing exercises with yoga, meditation, exercise, and time in nature. Take a few deep breaths to slow down and regain balance and calm when stressed. (21)
Sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. When under chronic stress, your sleep may become compromised, become interrupted, or you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Develop a night-time routine. Turn off all technology, meditate, journal, color, have a caffeine-free herbal tea, perhaps read a book or connect with a loved one or pet. Make sure to get as cozy as possible. Make sure you have a comfortable pillow and blanket and have no distractions around your bed. Don’t be stressed if you can’t fall asleep right away. Take a few deep breaths, bring your imagination to a happy place, and relax. (1)

While it’s impossible to avoid stress, you don’t have to suffer from physical and mental health consequences. Using these simple natural stress management strategies, you can learn to cope with and reduce stress better. Seek help from medical doctors and mental health professionals to treat underlying health issues and potential health consequences of stress.

My Personal RX:

To maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle and to effectively manage stress, I recommend the following strategies:

Healthy Balanced Diet: Consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can nourish the body and help cope with the stresses of daily life. Remember to stay hydrated, limit processed food intake, and eat regularly to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity. This can range from walking, running, yoga, or any sport you enjoy. Exercise helps in reducing the body’s stress hormones and stimulates the production of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.
Get Out in Nature: Try to spend some time outdoors every day, even if it’s just for a short walk in a local park. This exposure to nature can reduce feelings of stress and increase feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Download the Calm the Chaos Meditations: My free meditation series, Calm the Chaos, provides practical guided sessions to help you relax, refocus, and manage stress. Regular meditation can enhance self-awareness, promote emotional health, and lengthen attention span, among other benefits.
Adrenal Support Supplement: I recommend my Adrenal Support supplement to help balance your body’s stress response. This supplement can help to regulate cortisol levels, support adrenal gland function, and help your body better respond to stress.

Remember, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are currently taking any medication. Also, keep in mind that these recommendations are part of an overall lifestyle approach to managing stress and should be incorporated alongside other strategies such as good sleep hygiene, maintaining strong social connections, and seeking professional help when needed.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Comment below; I want to hear your thoughts, feedback, experiences, and feedback regarding stress.

Partha Nandi MD, FACP

`Partha Nandi MD, FACP`

What is Stress

Types of Stress