Stress – Your constant companion
Stress, in small doses, helps you perform under pressure and motivates you to do and be your best. But run under emergency mode constantly, and you pay the price. Do you find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed frequently? It is time to bring your nervous system back to balance. Who will protect you other than yourself from the devastating effects of stress? You need to learn how to recognise if you are suffering from chronic stress. And if you are, you need to take steps to reduce its harmful effects.
You experience stress when your body responds to any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger – be it real or imagined – the body’s defences kick in a stress response, otherwise known as “fight-or-flight” reaction. This is when a flood of stress hormones are released. Adrenaline and cortisol, along with other stress hormones, rouse the body for emergency action.
Your body is actually protecting you by way of this stress response. If it works properly, it helps you stay in focus and retain your energy. It can give you the strength to defend yourself in emergencies. You rise to meet challenges because of stress, for example when you are studying for an exam, or giving a presentation at work. But stress is not helpful beyond a certain level. When it goes beyond that level, it starts causing major damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships, and quality of life.
How chronic stress effects you
Your nervous system cannot distinguish between emotional and physical threats very well. This is why, the more your stress system is activated, the easier it is to trigger it. As a consequence, it becomes difficult to shut off as well. If you are stressed out frequently, you may have serious health problems because your body tends to remain in a heightened state of stress most of the time. Chronic stress has the power to disrupt nearly every system your body has, from your immune system to your reproductive system. You age sooner and have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Moreover, it can rewire the brain, paving the way for anxiety, depression, and other problems related to mental health.
It does not take much time or effort for stress to creep up on you. You get used to it while dealing with it and then you never notice the heavy toll it takes on you.
So, how do you know if you are stressed? Look for these signs –
- Memory and concentration problems
- Worrying constantly
- Depression & anxiety
- Irritability & anger
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Loneliness
- Aches
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Feeling nauseous or dizzy
- Chest pain or rapid heart rate
- Diminished sex drive
- Frequent colds
- Erratic food and sleeping habits
- Increased alcohol and cigarette usage
- Inability to feel positive
- Lack of sound judgment
Stressors and how they cause stress
Stressors are those situations and pressures that cause stress. Both positive and negative events in your life can act as stressors. They can range from an exhausting work schedule to receiving a promotion.
Stress can be internal or external. Your perception of stress is an important factor when it comes to the causes of stress. Something that is not affecting someone else may be stressful for you, and vice versa. While external causes can be major life changes, internal causes include pessimism, rigid thinking and unrealistic expectations.
Your stress level depends on your personality and how you respond to situations. Nevertheless, there are ways to get distracted from stress or even alleviate it. We will talk about one of the easiest ways that are sure to help you out.
Slime for stress relief
Slime is a stress toy. It is a simple but very effective gadget that can provide you with relaxation when stress hits you. When it comes to letting off steam and unwinding, slime toys are very popular. You can easily find one that suits you as there many types and designs of such toys in the market.
The core function of slime toys is to take your mind off your stressors and calm your nerves. You can comfortably hold them in the palm of your hand and then squeeze them repeatedly. This helps to release tension as well as pent-up emotions and to relieve stress.
So how does a slime toy actually reduce your stress? Here’s how.
- Your hand and wrist muscles tighten when you squeeze it in your palm and relax when you release it. When you repeat this cycle over and over again, tension is released.
- It stimulates those nerves in your hand that is connected to the limbic region of the brain. This region is associated with emotions and when it gets stimulated, you feel calm and relaxed.
- It feels good in your hand. When you keep working on a slime toy, eventually all of your focus is directed to it, making you stop concentrating on the source of your stress. It works just like meditation.
- When you manipulate a slime toy, your brain is stimulated and endorphins are released. The endorphins are natural sedatives or pain relievers and help to enhance your mood.
You can use a slime toy in the classroom, at work, on a flight, in your car, and so on. Apart from relieving you of your stress, it will help you to remain calm and increase your concentration and attention. It is also a fun way to exercise your hand, joints, and muscles.
There are days when nothing seems to go right. All you need on those days is a slime toy.
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