The Starting Point on the Path to Stress Management

The Starting Point on the Path to Stress Management

Every successful intervention or process begins with a crucial first step—much like the boarding point of a journey, it marks the moment you commit to moving forward and that step begins with Awareness

 Awareness about-

• what stress is and what it can lead to
• How to recognise the initial symptoms 
• Our innate and acquired defence to manage it- Coping skills.

 Stress can never be prevented. It has to be managed .Stress management is a skill . As for any skill, every time you put it to action and practice it , the skill only strengthens. 

What is Stress?

Stress is a response- physical, psychological or emotional -to anything that the body perceives as threat or challenge. Any stimulus which triggers a stress response is termed a stressor.. This response can have positive(Eustress) or negative effects(distress). 

Interpreting an event or circumstance  as a threat or challenge depends on  our perceived ability to cope- if our  coping skills are adequate  to manage the situation it is interpreted as a challenge and if the demand is beyond our coping abilities it is perceived as threat.  

Eustress response like excitement, motivation even though seen as being beneficial psychologically, leads to release of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline which can have adverse effects on the body if sustained for long periods. Distress is negative effects of stress can be both psychologically and physiologically damaging.

What are the symptoms and signs of Stress?-The Red Flags

Stress response  can have physiological and psychological symptoms and early recognition  is important to take early action. 

Some of the physiological symptoms can be increased heart rate, headache, muscle stiffness / increased muscle tension, nonspecific muscle pain, exhaustion , sleep disturbances, abnormal appetite, excessive sweating, increased blood pressure

 Psychological symptoms are feeling low, angry, irritable, disinterested etc.

Stress if left unmanaged  can erode into your physical and mental health.

What are Coping Skills? 

Coping skills are our behavioural, cognitive and emotional efforts  to manage the stressor. There are two types of coping strategies- Problem focussed coping aiming to change or control the stressor and emotion focussed coping which involves efforts to regulate our emotional response to the stressor. The positive news is Coping  abilities can be developed and strengthened by scientifically proven techniques. 

This awareness enables us to recognize stress and its symptoms more clearly. Gaining insight into our coping abilities empowers us to implement personalized strategies that effectively address and manage stress.