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Understanding Stress: What it is and Why it Happens

Source www.health.harvard.edu

Stress is a common word these days; you would see men, women, young people and even kids talking about pressure and stress in their lives. What is this stress everyone is talking about? In simple words, stress is an intense feeling of emotional or physical tension. You may start to feel stressed due to different reasons and it usually leads someone to feel frustrated, angry or nervous. Stress is not always bad but only if it comes in short bursts. It may help you avoid danger or meet a deadline. It is normal for people of all ages to feel stressed out time to time. There are two types of stress:

1. Acute stress is a short term stress that comes and goes fast. You may feel it after a fight with your loved one, driving a car for the first time or going for an interview. It actually helps in coping with or managing dangerous situations. Everyone feels acute stress and it is actually normal to feel it.

2. Chronic stress is when stress lasts longer than normal. It may turn into chronic stress and cause many health issues. People usually feel it when dealing with financial issues, having relationship troubles or when they are unable to find a job. If a person has regular chronic stress the get used to it and may not even know that they even have a problem.

The Invisible Impact of Stress on You

Source ideascale.com

When your body is stressed it releases a hormone which brings your brain into an alert mode. It causes the muscles to tense up and increase your pulse rate. These reactions help your body and mind in handling many situations which is your body's way of protecting itself. When stress becomes a regular episode, it turns into a condition called distress. Distress disturbs the body's internal balance or your equilibrium. This leads to chronic headache, upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, sexual dysfunction and sleep issues.

Stress is known to be bringing cancer, accidents, cirrhosis of liver and at times people end up committing suicide. People tend to start abusing substances like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, sex, useless shopping or getting addicted to Internet. These habits or behavior do not help people relieve stress and cause harm to their body and they may get caught up in this vicious cycle.

Stress could be caused by many factors like being under lots of pressure, facing big changes, worrying about something while not having much or any control over the outcome, having responsibilities that you're finding overwhelming, and facing uncertainty in life.

Top Stress Relief Products: Use These to Relax and Unwind

Source universityhealthnews.com

If you feel you have been experiencing stress lately and don't know how to handle it then you can try some of these products mentioned below. These products are highly effective and will help you relieve stress and get back to the normal you.

Weighted Blanket

Source www.amazon.in

A major problem that troubles people when in stress is the inability to sleep. According to a study conducted in 2018 it was found that people in stress are not able to sleep properly and cause harm to them. If you are feeling that you are not able to sleep at night you can try a weighted blanket. These blankets are very effective. They are therapeutic blankets which weight somewhere between 5 to 30 pounds. They help a person feel secure and safe. They lessen anxiety and improve the mood. If you plan to buy a weighted blanket try to buy one that is around 10% of your body weight and have temperature regulating features for you to sleep in the temperature which comforts you the most.

You can check out this Juniper soft velvet weighted blanket and makes you feel that you are held close in someone’s arm. It is called "deep touch pressure stimulation" and lets you go into deep sleep in minutes. The weight of this blanket is 15 pounds or 7 kg. The inner layer of the blanket is made of 100% cotton fabric and the outer layer is of 100% velvet to give you that cozy feel through the night. The blanket is filled with PolyFill and non allergic fine grade high density glass beads. This blanket will help you relax and calming down your nervous system. You can buy it for Rs.6,000 from amazon.in.

Fidget Spinners

Source www.flipkart.com

Fidget spinners may look like toys to you, but they are a lot more than a simple toy for kids. They are known as a popular occupational therapy tool recommended by many doctors. People can use a fidget spinner whenever they like and feel relaxed although some may take it as a distraction. It can also be used by kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Fidget spinners come in various shapes and sizes. You can find them in different prices and are easily available in the market as well an online. Spinning a fidget spinner can help you relax and calm down when facing a difficult mental dilemma.

This Premsons fidget spinner is a good way to help you relax. The momentum of the toy gives a sensory experience and calms you down instantly. This fidget spinner is made with high quality metal and is shaped as a ship wheel which makes it look unique. You can buy this fidget spinner for Rs.419 from flipkart.com or buy it for your friends and help them stay relaxed.

Glow Light

Source www.amazon.in

So, we already know that when a person is in stress they are not able to sleep properly. A weighted blanket is a good way to put yourself to sleep but it won't do much good if you don't have a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. It gets very difficult to get out of bed to turn the lights off especially if you are almost asleep; this is where the glow light comes in handy. This Novamy wall light can be very useful when it comes to getting you in a mood to sleep. It is made with high quality material and is in a triangle shape. The beautiful LED glow lights emit calm light which spreads through the room and instantly relaxes you. You can easily mount it on the wall with screws and use it by hooking up the wires with your home input. The light is available for Rs.990 from amazon.in.

Sleep Eye Mask

Source www.amazon.in

Another great thing that can help you fall asleep is using a sleep eye mask. Putting on a sleep eye mask blocks out any unwanted light or distraction present in the room. The meditation eye mask is made of 100% mulberry silk which is recommended to use for eyes and is better than polyester or nylon eye masks. The mask is designed by a well known yoga teacher, Dhyan Unmesh. Using this eye mask can ease migraines, dry eyes and insomnia. You can buy this eye mask for Rs.315 from amazon.in.

Aromatherapy Diffusers

Source www.myntra.com

Another great product to use for stress relief is an aromatherapy diffuser. Aromatherapy is said to relieve stress but it does depend on what fragrances you like. Lavender is known to provide the best stress and anxiety relief, although you can try experimenting with aromas and decide which one suits you the best. The Hosley multicoloured lavender fields reed diffuser is a good product to start with. Its diffuser hold 60ml of oil and is made with glass. You can simply clean it with a damp cloth and it will be as good as new. Using the diffuser will help your relax instantly. You can buy it for Rs.562 from myntra.com.

Relaxing Tea

Source www.desertcart.in

A cup of nice, warm, relaxing tea can also help you calm down and ease your stress to a great extent. It is a great way to sit back and relax after a stressful day. The Yogi Honey lavender stress relief is a non caffeinated tea with herbs to relax you with each sip. You can drink the tea anytime you like but it is very helpful at night before you go to bed. It being non caffeinated lets you sleep peacefully. This pack of Yogi Honey lavender tea comes in a pack of 16 tea bags and you can buy it for Rs.1,889 from desertcart.in.

Adult Colouring Book

Source www.flipkart.com

Taking those lovely crayons or colour pens in your hand instantly takes you back to your childhood and calms you down. People usually think that colouring is just for kids but the fact is that colouring is a form of meditative creativity which relieves stress. It also improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. Nowadays you can find many adult colouring books in the market, which are specifically suited to adults. They are challenging enough to keep you focused on the task and keep you distracted from the issues that bring on stress. You can buy the adult colouring books for Rs.1,171 from flipkart.com and have a fun and relaxing evening with your friends.

Foot Massager

Source www.amazon.in

A foot massager is a great way to completely relax after a hard day of work. This Lifelong foot massager is one of the best massagers in the market. It instantly eases your pain, reduces fatigue and improves your health. The machine can be customised to focus on which part of the foot you need massaged. The massager is based on reflexology which enhances weight loss as well as improves quality of your skin. It has 4 automatic programs and 3 custom massage modes. The machine comes with one year warranty and can be bought for Rs.5,659 from amazon.in.

Scented Candles

Source ekamonline.com

A good way to relax is to use scented candles. These candles are made with good quality wax and come in different scents. They emit refreshing fragrances which can be places in your living room bedroom or in your dining room and help you relax with your family. This mahogany mercury bowl is a great and strong candle which gives out warm and inviting scent. You can buy it for Rs.800 from ekamonline.com.

Acupressure Cushion Massage Mat

Source uniqleaf.co

Acupressure cushion is known to provide great relief physically and mentally. Using this massage cushion can ease a lot of your pain and keep you relaxed. This acupressure cushion massage mat is available for Rs.1,499 and can be bought from uniqleaf.co. It will help you ease out your muscle pain and tension, increase your blood circulation and boost your energy. When you feel fit physically you feel relaxed and confident. It is made with high grade plastic with cotton and sponge and is easy to use.

Best Ways to Naturally Relieve Stress on a Daily Basis

Source www.austinmassageclinic.com

Here are a few natural methods you can use to ease your stress.

  • 1. Always remember to exercise regularly. It helps to fight the stress. Putting physical hardship on your body with exercise can relieve mental stress. Exercising regularly lowers your body's stress hormones like cortisol. It also boosts the production of endorphins which is a chemical that improves your mood and works like a painkiller.

  • 2. Train yourself to avoid procrastination. People who tend to procrastinate end up getting stressed as the deadline reaches closer. It later leads to sleepless nights and other negative effects. Simply make a to-do list and create realistic deadlines. Try to stick to the deadlines and you'll be okay.

  • 3. Meditation is also a great way to relax. A small walk per day can help ease anxiety to a great extent. It is said the daily meditation can alter your brain's neural pathways which helps in relieving stress. You can simply sit with both feet on the floor, close your eyes and chant a positive mantra.

  • 4. You can also use the social network platforms to reach out to people or friends and share your issues. You can also call your friends and talk your heart out and feel relaxed after a fun conversation.

  • 5. Sleep is very important if you want to stay calm and away from anxiety. Go to bed and wake up on the right time. Take a small nap if you like in the afternoon you will feel relaxed.

  • 6. If you like to drink coffee and tea, know that caffeine in these beverages is a stimulant which can increase your anxiety. If you really like to drink coffee, limit it to a couple of cups a day and avoid taking it before going to bed.

  • 7. Laugh whenever you want and even if you don't want to. Laughing lowers cortisol and boosts your brain chemicals called endorphins. Read a good book, watch a funny movie and sit with your friends and crack weird jokes to ease your stress.

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From our editorial team

First Step to Fighting Stress

The first step to overcome stress is to acknowledge its existence. Once that's done, you can either handle it directly by reducing the stressful elements in your life or by mitigating its effects through mediation, exercise, or other such activities. Try to add some stress-relieving activities to your daily routine and you'll find it easier to deal with the stress of daily life. Take active measures and stay healthy!