What is stress exactly?

When one experiences a threat, physically or emotionally; the body’s defenses start working for the rapid response to that threat; known as fight or flight response.

Many changes take place in our bodies in this process. When the threat is sensed, a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus sets off a chemical alarm, and the stress hormone is secreted. It makes the person ready for the response to the threat. The response can be of fight or flight.

During this process, all the energy in the body is used for reducing the reaction time for the response. At the same time, body processes not essential for immediate survival; such as the digestive system or reproductive system slow down.

This happens when a physical threat is there. Nowadays, most of the people experience the threat to emotional balance, rather than a physical one. There are many reasons for this; such as small things like an argument with a friend or family member, monthly bills, traffic jams, etc.; or big things like an accident, death of a loved one, etc. These are the main causes of stress.

The problem with the stress response is that the more it is activated, it becomes harder to shut off. Instead of leveling once the threat is passed; the stress hormones, heart rate, blood pressure remain elevated.

Moreover, extended or repeated activation of stress response affects physical health adversely. It increases the risk of everything right from heart disease, obesity, depression, memory problems, etc. It has a strong impact on our physical, as well as mental health. Here are some of the effects of stress, according to this study

Headaches or backaches, muscle tension, and stiffness, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, chest pain, rapid heart rate, weight gain or loss, frequent colds, etc.

Effects on cognition

Memory problems, indecisiveness, inability to concentrate, seeing only the negative, constant worrying, poor judgment, etc.

Effects on emotional health

Moodiness, agitation, restlessness, short temper, irritability, impatience, inability to relax, sense of loneliness or isolation, depression, in general unhappiness, etc.

Effects on behavior

Eating more or less, too much or too little sleep, using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to relax, nervous habits like nail-biting, overdoing activities (exercise or shopping, etc.)

In this way, stress has serious effects on our health in all aspects. Therefore, it is very important to manage stress and deal with it in a more positive way and reduce its impact on our lives.

There are many ways to deal with stress. But, our rich culture gives us a simple and cost-effective way! And that way is Yoga. Yoga is useful for us in many ways and is also a very effective stress-buster.

If all the causes of stress are observed carefully, the common thing among them is a disturbance. The threat may be physical or emotional, it disturbs the stability of mind which is the basic cause of stress.

For example, when you throw a stone in the still water of a lake, its stability is lost and is regained after some time. Similarly, when a threat is experienced, the stability of the mind is disturbed. And it leads to stress if the threat is major, or repeated.

Yoga helps in increasing stability, as well as the strength of the mind; which is beneficial in dealing with stress.

The eight steps of Yoga