Stress, in psychology, pertains to a response to a stimulus that threatens the balance between a person’s physical and mental well-being. Since it involves both the body and the mind, it may have affect to a person’s activities of daily living and interaction with other people. The following are the causes, symptoms, and home remedies for stress.
Causes
Stress has several causes, such as personal, social, and post-traumatic stress. According to Web MD, personal problems may include the person’s health, emotional problems, relationships, major life changes, stress in the family, and conflicts with one’s beliefs and values. For social factors, these include the person’s surroundings, social situation, and job. Losing one’s job or not being able to find work also increases a person’s stress level. Also, post-traumatic stress is due to life-threatening or traumatic events like natural disasters, rape, or war.
Symptoms
Stress presents a number of signs and symptoms. According to The American Institute of Stress, these include frequent headaches, jaw clenching, or pain, grinding of teeth, stuttering, tremors, neck ache, back pain, lightheadedness, ringing or buzzing sounds, sweating, cold or sweaty hands, dry mouth, infections, rashes, itching, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, difficulty breathing, frequent sighing, chest pain, rapid pulse, palpitations, anxiety, anger, depression, mood swings, changes in appetite, insomnia, inability to focus, forgetfulness, confusion, disorganization, accidents, obsessive-compulsive behavior, reduced efficiency, social withdrawal, weakness, weight changes, increased substance use (smoking, alcohol, drugs), and suicidal thoughts, among others.
As per the publication, stress has a broad range of effects on a person’s mood, emotions, and behavior. Along with these are the above-mentioned effects on the person’s body tissues, systems, and organs, .
Home Remedies
Stress should be managed, since it affects a person’s daily routine and dynamics with other people. The following are some remedies that can be used or done.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing facilitates reduction of anxiety related stress. According to Top 10 Home Remedies, deep breathing allows the entry of more oxygen to the body, which then contributes to having a calm body and mind. As per the publication, doing 15 to 30 minutes of slow and deep breathing also helps a person think clearly, allowing him to handle stress more effectively.
To perform, as per the publication, the person sits or lies down in a quiet or comfortable place. Next, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath through his nose to the count of five. Then, he holds his breath for five counts and then exhales for another five counts. The exercise is done for five to six times until the person calms down and feels relaxed.
Acupuncture
Another remedy for stress is acupuncture. According to Dr. Axe’s official website, acupuncture has progressively been used to manage a number of stress-related situations, such as autoimmune, immunological, and psychiatric disorders. As per the publication, scientists have learned that acupuncture as treatment leads to a boosted number in T-cells and enhanced cellular immunoresponses. Moreover, acupuncture served as one of the best stress relievers for clients with heart disease, since the produce promotes relaxation of the nervous system, which covered the blood pressure and hormones.
Music
Music can be a form of relaxation for the mind and body. As per Best Health Magazine, studies have learned that music can decrease a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormone levels in the blood. According to the publication, the person may take a break and listen to a kind of music that he finds relaxing. Examples are classical and jazz music.
Stress affects the mind and the body. Thus, it is important to relieve stress through the aforementioned home remedies to prevent detrimental effects to the person’s physical and mental well-being.
