Are you about to be eaten by a cave bear? Probably not (they’re extinct, after all). But your body still reacts to frightening situations with a burst of adrenalin and other bodily and mental changes. We know them as stress.
Why do we get stressed?
While stress is useful when fleeing predators, it’s less useful in everyday modern life. Still, evolution is slow, and we’re stuck with stress for the time being.
Some stress is acute – caused by a sudden change, usually negative, like the death of a friend or family member, or a divorce. Even some neutral or positive changes, like moving or job change, can cause stress.
Stress and your health
Chronic stress, stress that persists for months of years, is caused by the routine problems of life: jobs, love life, family, money, endless elections. This can be even more deleterious to our health. Since the body is constantly stressed, other necessary bodily functions fall by the wayside – like your mood, and your immune system.
Chronic stress can have the following affects:
- Digestive issues (ever feel like you’re sick to your stomach? Stress.)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Depressed immune system
So if you’re snappish, unhappy, sleepless, and get a lot of colds, you are most likely very stressed, and this day, Stress Awareness Day, was made for you.
Massage for stress, and other solutions
Now that you’re aware of your stress, what can you do? Luckily, there are some tried-and –true remedies for the stress that besets many of us in modern society.
Namaste.
Yoga can regulate your heartbeat and reduce stress.
Meditation.
A few minutes of mindfulness can help ease your mind and soothe your stress.
Massage
. Massages have been proven to lower blood pressure, improve mood, and promote better sleep. Get rid of commuting stress and book an in home massage from Zeel.
Exercise.
Even half an hour of exercise can reduce stress. Go for a walk during your lunch hour.
Cats.
Our furry feline friends can reduce blood pressure and improve mood with their adorable, Instagram-friendly antics. (It turns out cats and other animals like massage at home too.)
