Today is the start of International Stress Awareness Week. Let us start this week by understanding more what is stress, knowing where we usually encounter stress, and, of course, learning our 3 self-care tips on managing stress.
What is Stress?
Stress is everywhere. This is something that can be present no matter where you look or even if you close your eyes. Stress is a situation or event that puts pressure on us. It can also be our reactions when being placed under pressure.
But did you know that there is good stress? “Eustress” is the term for this type of stress. Eustress, according to the American Psychological Association, is a sort of stress caused by challenging but attainable tasks that are enjoyable and beneficial. It has a positive effect by instilling a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment. While the typical stress that we are all familiar with is called “Distress”, a tension that has a negative impact on us.
Stress has long been recognized as being prevalent in all aspects of our life, implying that there are various kinds of stress. Let us explore where stress is usually present in our daily lives as we commemorate International Stress Awareness Week.
Where is the Stress?
Stress in Financial
When it comes to finances, stress is almost always there. These are the emotional tensions that develop when money is involved. There may be moments when you wonder if you’ll have enough money for the week or month, or if you’ll be able to pay your bills and debts. These are the times when you are most likely to be stressed.
Financial stress is consistently associated with worse mental health outcomes, especially for students, according to a study conducted by McCloud and Bann (2019). Worrying about money, according to Karyotaki, Cuijipers, and Albor (2020), can lead to mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. This is why financial stress should not be overlooked because this could lead you to having poorer mental health.
Stress at Work
Workplace stress isn’t always a bad thing. There is eustress at work, in fact. This is the type of stress that can help you stay focused and achieve your professional goals. It encourages you in being more focused and avoid costly mistakes. However, there are several circumstances that can harm your mind and body. It has been established that stress can induce medical problems such as hypertension and diabetes, in addition to the risk of getting depression or anxiety (Mezuk, Eaton, Albrecht & Golden, 2008).
Stress in Relationships
Stress can also be caused by problems with family, friends, or partners. Arguments, different opinions, wants, or needs and feeling neglected are the usual issues that arise in a relationship that causes stress.
Lau, Randall, Duran & Tao, 2007 said that having stress in relationships can be harmful to a relationship’s well-being. This is why it’s essential to seek the help of a marriage and family therapist like us to help you face and overcome the stress in your relationships. Couples therapy is completely normal, so don’t be afraid to seek it. Attending therapy with your partner is actually an indication that you both care about each other and the well-being of your relationship.
3 Self-Care Tips on Managing Stress
Stress Cleaning
Cleaning, such as washing dishes, can be a form of relaxation. In fact, a study was conducted about informal mindfulness practice in washing the dishes. It has been shown that being mindful while washing dishes, such as inhaling the aroma of the soap and allowing your skin to absorb the warmth of the water, can boost psychological inspiration and reduce nervousness (Hanley, Warner, Delhi, Canto & Garland, 2015).
Exercise as Stress Relief
Exercise is widely known as a healthy habit that benefits a person’s general health as well as their well-being. Because it mimics the consequences of stress, such as the flight or fight response, it can also provide stress relief to your body. Exercise adapts your body’s system to those effects and protects you from the physical side effects of stress, such as headaches, chest pains, upset stomach, and so on.
Identifying your Eustress
Knowing that positive stress exists is extremely advantageous to a person’s health. Identifying things that cause eustress to you could help you manage the distress you usually face. Some examples of eustress are discovering a new hobby, where you might feel embarrassed and a little bit of stress but pushing through it will keep your brain engaged and make you feel better because of the accomplishment. Another example is big life changes, such as having a baby. You’ll feel overwhelmed when having a baby, but these are some great things you don’t want to miss.
This week, may we be more aware of the stress that we face every day. Let us be reminded that having stress in our life is totally normal. Stress can be everywhere; stress is already a part of our lives. Being negatively affected by this is okay. Never feel pressured just because some people could handle their stress better alone. If you feel like you can’t handle it alone, do not hesitate to ask for help. Always remember that asking for help is not and will never be a bad thing. Do not hesitate to contact us here. We can help. Let’s talk about you.
References:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://dictionary.apa.org/eustress.
Hanley, A.W., Warner, A.R., Dehili, V.M. et al. Washing Dishes to Wash the Dishes: Brief Instruction in an Informal Mindfulness Practice. Mindfulness 6, 1095–1103 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0360-9
Lau, K., Randall, A. K., Duran, N. D., & Tao, C. (2019). Examining the Effects of Couples’ Real-Time Stress and Coping Processes on Interaction Quality: Language Use as a Mediator. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02598
Karyotaki, E., Cuijpers, P., Albor, Y., Alonso, J., Auerbach, R. P., Bantjes, J., Bruffaerts, R., Ebert, D. D., Hasking, P., Kiekens, G., Lee, S., McLafferty, M., Mak, A., Mortier, P., Sampson, N. A., Stein, D. J., Vilagut, G., & Kessler, R. C. (2020). Sources of Stress and Their Associations With Mental Disorders Among College Students: Results of the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys International College Student Initiative. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1759. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01759
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, August 18). Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469.
McCloud T, Bann DFinancial stress and mental health among higher education students in the UK up to 2018: rapid review of evidenceJ Epidemiol Community Health 2019;73:977-984.
Melinda. (2021, October 5). Stress at work. HelpGuide.org. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-in-the-workplace.htm#.
Mezuk, B., Eaton, W. W., Albrecht, S., & Golden, S. H. (2008). Depression and type 2 diabetes over the lifespan: a meta-analysis. Diabetes care, 31(12), 2383–2390. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-0985
The good stress: How eustress helps you grow. The American Institute of Stress. (2021, April 23). Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.stress.org/the-good-stress-how-eustress-helps-you-grow.
What are the effects of stress on a relationship? University of Nevada, Reno. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2018/atp-relationship-stress.
What is stress? Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/.
