A lot of us deal with stress and anxiety every day. Anxiety is the persistent worry or uneasy feeling that we all experience. Stress is your body’s natural response to the external world when there are specific changes that you are not ready for. Changes lead us to a temporary unknown zone, where you might feel overwhelmed. Persistent anxiety and stress can elevate the likelihood of various health issues, such as obesity, heart disease and depression. This new year, let’s participate in self-care routines together. It is essential for diminishing stress and anxiety and enhancing overall well-being.
We present to you #BeAQuitter, a 15-day program till 19th January 2024, specially curated to help you create a healthier and happier new year for yourself. Learn from experienced mental health, fitness, and nutrition experts how to quit unhealthy habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle in the new year. In this blog, mental health expert Anushree Chatterji will guide you on managing stress and anxiety.
What you need to know:
- How to quit feeling anxious and stressed?
- Consequences of chronic anxiety and stress
- Quit feeling anxious: Stress management techniques
How to quit feeling anxious and stressed?
Causes of stress and anxiety can stem from work, family, health and financial situations. Both stress and anxiety can be concerning if they last for weeks or months at length. Instead of letting these feelings control and overwhelm you, it is essential to find a creative outlet to channel depression and anxiety. Find something enjoyable that will keep you productive and take your mind off negative thoughts.
Consequences of chronic anxiety and stress
When you are under stress, the body’s systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems, start functioning over time, while the digestive and immune system takes a back seat. A crisis or a stressful situation would seem to take up the most space. But there will always be solutions that can help us champion such circumstances. And when we are able to switch off the crisis button, our body also reverses the damage done.
Effects of chronic stress are:
- Uncontrolled increase in body weight
- Anxiety and depression
- Sudden muscle tension and pain
- Cognitive problems
- Loss of focus
- High blood pressure levels
- Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Digestive problems
Here are some of the most common effects of anxiety on your body:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Abdominal pain
Quit feeling anxious: Stress management techniques
Here are some stress management techniques that you can use to keep anxiety and stress at bay:
Deep breathing and relaxation exercises
Take a pause often to check in with yourself and re-fuel. Practising deep breathing can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. here’s how:
- Concentrate on inhaling deeply through your nose
- Let the air gradually expand your chest and abdomen
- Then, exhale gently through your mouth
- Experience the air leaving your body
- Inhale through your nose for four counts and pause briefly
- Then exhale through your mouth
Physical exercise for stress relief
The human body is built for a certain amount of daily physical activity. Our muscles still need adequate exercise to feel less restless and sleep better at night. Do activities outside your comfort zone, like 20 burpees, yoga postures, running, or taking a long walk, as they can make you feel more confident. In addition, your body produces serotonin when you exercise or do yoga postures, making you feel better.
Mindfulness and meditation practises
Mindfulness serves as a tool to anchor you in the present moment, countering the sense of disconnection often experienced due to extreme stress or anxiety. By engaging in mindfulness, you acknowledge your emotional condition and use meditation to lessen stress and promote relaxation. Remind yourself often of how far you have come and that your journey is replete with relentless growth.
While chronic stress and anxiety can exist, they can impact both your physical and mental well-being. Build a community for yourself so that your body produces oxytocin, making you feel better and happier. Regular exercise, reduced screen time, and increased outdoor activities can help manage stress effectively.
Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more in nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and lifestyle conditions like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruaat ABHIkaro.
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