No matter how great (or not-so-great) your life is going, stress can always find a way to work its way into the mix.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, when stress strikes, your hypothalamus shoots out stress hormones that speed up your pulse and increase blood pressure. You may breathe faster so your lungs can take in as much oxygen as possible. The added oxygen is sent to your brain to help improve your alertness. Your body also releases stored blood sugar and fats to burn for extra energy.
Some other things that may happen under stress include:
- You may lose color, flush or sweat.
- Your hands and feet may become cold and clammy.
- Your pupils may dilate.
- Your muscles may start to twitch.
- You may not feel any pain in the moment.
- Some people lose control of their bladder or bowels during highly stressful situations.
This is one thing when the stress is momentary and followed by relief. In these cases, your parasympathetic nervous system calms your body down once the danger has subsided.
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However, if you have chronic stress, your body remains in this hypervigilant state, increasing your risk for chronic health problems. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this can include health issues such as:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
Chronic stress can also manifest as physical health problems, including:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation or other stomach issues
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
You may get sick more often than usual because stress weakens your immune system. Chronic stress may also set the stage for anxiety and depression and worsen any underlying medical conditions.
Making matters worse, some people cope with chronic stress by turning to high-fat comfort foods, smoking tobacco, or consuming more alcohol or drugs, all of which add to the negative health consequences of stress.
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So what can you do to feel better...faster?
Here are 5 of the top ways to give yourself a quick dose of peace of mind.
1. Go for a walk.
Want a break from the office? Does your house feel like an insane asylum? Slip out the door and let your feet take you somewhere.
Not only will walking give you the opportunity to clear your head and take a break from that hectic situation, but it’s great aerobic exercise, too.
2. Talk to a friend.
We all have someone whose voice alone perks us up. Give them a buzz, even for a few minutes.
Whether with a joke or a funny story, or just by listening, they will likely put a smile on your face and calm you down. Besides, what are friends for?
RELATED: 5 Ways To De-Stress Daily
3. Write in a journal.
Expressing our feelings could be the best way to deal with stress.
Keeping a journal is a way to capture those feelings at any moment.
You don’t have to worry about what others think or say, just let your pen do the work. By the time you’re done, those feelings will be on their way out of your system.
4. Sweat it out.
Have some pent-up frustrations?
There’s no better way to get rid of them than by exercising. Pop in a workout tape, hop on your bike or grab your jump rope.
You’ll be too busy working up a sweat to worry about what’s stressing you out. Picture the stress leaving your body through your pores.
5. Take a hot bath.
A hot bath will initially give your body a kick, which in turn will give your mind a kick too – and then it’ll slow both down. Add bubbles and a few candles and you have the ultimate soothing atmosphere.
