Created: 9 June 2020, Last Updated: 17 Feb 2021
Stress is a normal part of life and there are good and bad forms of it. Stress happens when our body goes through changes in the environment, which requires adjustment through physical, mental and emotional responses. Just as too much of anything is bad for us, too much stress is bound to negatively affect you.
Since change is constant, stress is bound to occur; but stress management will help keep negative health effects at bay.
Being able to recognise common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Symptoms such as headache, mood swings, sleepless nights, or more severely, anxiety disorder and panic attacks demonstrates that stress build-up should not be dismissed. Stress is also a major trigger of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, and long-term stress leads to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
It is therefore paramount to take necessary steps to manage stress. Getting regular physical activities and practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi is a very good way to calm the body, mind and soul for good mental health. Humour is truly the best medicine in this case, so is spending time doing things you love, indulging in hobbies, being with the ones you love and who makes you happy. Leading a balanced work and personal life is another way of managing stress.
In recent times, mental health wellness has been taking the front seat and being given due importance. This is a good step towards recognising and overcoming long-term illnesses that could be caused by stress. For severe cases of stress symptoms, it is advisable to seek professional treatment; psychologists or mental health personnel trained in stress management would be able to give professional advice and consultations to ways of dealing with severe stress conditions.
As one can easily get caught-up with life’s demands and overlook the severe effects of stress, getting covered with a health insurance would provide the much-needed protection and peace of mind should major illness come our way. It is one less worrisome thought crossed off.