Stress is inevitable, and it's even omnipresent. In clinical language, it is any physical or psychological stimulus resulting in the production of mental tension or physiological reactions. If understood and handled well, stress can lead a person to regaining his/her energy and vitality and to living a healthier life. But if not, illnesses and even fatal diseases can arise.
Deadlines, finances, relationship or marital problems, work or profession, school, existing ailment, and other emotional or psychological disturbances are the most common causes of mental or emotional stress. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and very tiring activities are on the other hand leading roots of physical stress. Doctors, however, claim that mental stress reduces a person's energy and vitality more than the physical stressors do.
When the body detects stress, it naturally responds to it. When the mind is stressed, the brain releases chemicals that cause headache, prompting us to do something about it. The same happens when your leg or arm muscles are already tired and weary. But these bodily responses do not automatically result to regaining energy and vitality. The way we respond to these natural body responses are the determinants of stress reduction.
Different individuals respond to stress in many varying ways. Most resort to smoking cigarettes because of its calming effect, others drink alcohol, some go to the gym and work out, others rest and meditate. These responses are responsible to successful and unsuccessful regaining of lost energy and vitality.
The primary step to avoid or mitigate the effects of stress is to know where it is coming from. Once the source is identified, you can then think of a way on how to deal with it. But don't just deal with it, but deal with it properly. Overdoing your response to stress can yield to more damaging results. Excessive alcohol intake and even exercise can result to further negative implications. Your response should be something sustainable (can be regularly done and in right frequency) and basically safe and beneficial. Evaluating your lifestyle (eating habits, physical activities, etc.), having a positive outlook in life, excellent time management, and balancing your priorities are what most doctors would say some of the best ways to avoid stress and prevent surmountable loss of energy and vitality.
Having enough energy and vitality is crucial for our survival throughout our life. The amount of energy and vitality we acquire, lose, and regain will determine our body's longevity in this stress-filled world. There's no way we can get rid of stress, it's as constant as change. But we can do ways to avoid or lessen its effects. Stress is embedded in our nature and just like everything that is, it exists for a purpose. It's up to us to know how to optimize the possible good effects it can give by knowing how to properly deal with it.
