Understanding Stress, its Harmful Effects, and the Best Ways to Cope and de-stress

Have you ever wondered about stress and what it really is? Stress is defined as a reaction that disturbs our physical or mental balance. It is an ever-present part of life brought on by frustrations, deadlines and demands.

For many of us, stress is so ‘normal’ that it has become a way of life. Stress can damage your health, mood, relationships, and quality of life.

What does stress do to your body? 

Stress is your body’s response to any kind of demand or threat. So when you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by doing any or all of the following:

• Releases a flood of stress hormones which rouse the body for emergency action. 
• Your heart pounds faster, 
• muscles tighten, 
• blood pressure rises, 
• breath quickens, 

Effects of ‘Stress Overload’

If you’re stressed over an argument, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body can misjudge the level of stress and react as if you’re facing a life-or-death situation and have the following effects:

• raise blood pressure,
• suppress the immune system,
• increase the risk of serious illness, 
• speed up the aging process etc. 

Here is a very quick list of signs and symptoms of stress overload. How many can you count that are familiar to you?

• Unable to remember simple things
• Constant worrying 
• Moodiness 
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Frequent colds
• Aches and pains in the body
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

We usually think of stressors or stress triggers as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. The truth is that anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This includes events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or even receiving a promotion.

How to positively manage stress 

• Engage socially - The simple act of putting your phone away and simply talking face to face with another human being can reduce stress
• Get moving - Physical activity plays a key role in managing stress. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, and aerobic classes are good choices to de-stress!
• Holidays - time away from work and chores 
• Switch off your phone - Yes, really! Your body needs a recharge too!  

Lifestyle changes also help deal with the symptoms of stress
You can also better cope with stress by strengthening your physical health.

• Relaxation time. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness. 
• Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress. 
• Get plenty of sleep. Feeling tired can increase. Keep your cool in stressful situations by getting a good night’s sleep.
• Have ‘Me Time’ – Time spent in a spa with friends or even pampering yourself alone is never wasted. 

If you are super stressed, make time for a few hours per week at the spa, so you can have a foot rub, massage or even a head rub. This really helps in quickly relaxing and rejuvenating your system.

Spa Ceylon has produced an unique array of de-stressing and calming products infused with frankincense, kaffir lime, sandalwood, tangerines and aloe-vera for you to indulge in at home and office.

The Spa Ceylon Harmonizing Essence Mist is one of the authors’ personal favourites.  After a bath or shower, spray on lightly, all over your body, pillows and bed linen. The age old remedy of using frankincense to calm and destress goes back many millennia and is still used today to help the body find harmony and balance. The components of these precious ingredients are blended with the idea of bringing about complete wellness and a state of restfulness in body and mind.

Contact us on 0094 11 5344001 
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