Imad Ghennouni is a motivational speaker with 15 years of experience of his chosen field. Prior to his current vocation, Imad El Ghennouni Mohammed worked in various corporate settings, rising up the ranks in a range of sectors, including sales and financial services.
Imad El Atiki El Ghennouni draws on his personal and professional experiences to help people live happier, healthier, more productive lives. This article will look at stress, exploring its impact on both physical and mental health and sharing expert tips to reduce stress in everyday life.
Stress affects people in different ways and varying intensities. Research shows that stress can have a positive impact in certain situations, making people more alert and enabling them to perform better. Nevertheless, scientists have established that stress only has a beneficial impact where it is relatively short-lived. Excessive stress, or stress endured over a long period of time, has been linked to a range of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical illnesses such as heart disease.
When an individual feels anxious or threatened, this triggers a stress response that manifests itself in a range of physical symptoms, changing behavior and leading to more intense emotions. People react differently to stressful situations. Common responses to stress include sweating, sleeping problems, and changes in appetite. These symptoms are triggered by the release of stress hormones. The body produces stress hormones to help the individual deal with pressure or threats. Hormones such as non-adrenaline and adrenaline raise the blood pressure, increasing heart rate and triggering a state known as the “fight-or-flight” response, preparing the body for an emergency. In addition to excess sweating, these hormones also reduce stomach activity and the flow of blood to the skin. Meanwhile, cortisol, another stress hormone, releases sugar and fat into the system to boost energy.
The fight-or-flight response makes people breathe more quickly and can even cause palpitations. In the short term, it can result in muscle tension, pain, headaches, dizziness, and ingestion. In the long-term, it places the individual at an increased risk of a range of medical conditions, including stroke and heart attack.
In ancient times, mankind needed the fight-or-flight response just to survive, enabling early ancestors to either flee from danger or stay and fight. Once the threat has passed, an individual’s hormone levels usually return to normal. However, when placed under constant stress, these hormones linger in the body, damaging health over time.
A person who is stressed may experience a range of emotions, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and irritability. This in turn can lead to them becoming emotional, indecisive, or withdrawn. In addition, stress can manifest itself in physical symptoms that make the individual feel even worse.
Fortunately, when stress strikes, it is possible to reduce the surge of adrenaline and instill calmness by following a few simple steps. Breathing exercises can be an effective way of slowing thoughts down, inhaling and exhaling slowly until the individual feels calm. Meditation quietens the mind, while mindfulness encourages people to check in with themselves, helping them to become more aware of their feelings, senses, and thoughts.
The term “relaxation” is generally associated with sitting still. However, in reality, a range of physical activities can help to alleviate stress, making people feel calmer and more at ease. Taking a walk gets the individual outdoors, connecting them with nature, which an abundance of research shows has a positive impact on both physical and mental health. In addition, listening to music, making time for a favorite pastime, or simply using the power of the imagination to visualize tranquil surroundings can all go a long way toward diminishing worrying thoughts and instilling calmness.
