Stress is not a modern-day concept; it is as old as civilization, and it even exists in the animal kingdom. However, chronic stress is something that only humans suffer from and is definitely a symptom of a modernized world.

As a result of our demanding lifestyles, struggling economy, pressing socio-economic issues, and pressures of having a family, avoiding stress has become almost impossible and this chronic exposure to stressors is taking its toll on society’s mental health.

Negative Effects of Stress on Mental Health

As we know, not all stress is bad. In fact, the body’s natural stress response is designed to help us get out of dangerous situations. What makes stress detrimental is its intensity and duration.

In other words, high levels of long-term stress will make us physically, emotionally, and psychologically sick.

So, how does long-term stress affect our mental health?

Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which, when released, allows our bodies to function in a way that helps us get out of a dangerous situation.

Centuries ago, cortisol helped us run away from predators and other enemies. Today, cortisol helps us deal with domestic grievances, angry bosses, traffic jams, and demanding jobs.

Essentially, cortisol is there to help us, but in doing so, it also slows down the functions of other systems in our bodies that keep us alive and healthy. Long-term exposure to stress means that our bodies don’t get the opportunity to return to normal state.

Research shows that high, prolonged levels of cortisol are linked to mood disorders and changes in behaviour and cognition.

Depression

Chronic stress changes the chemicals in the brain which are responsible for mood and cognition such as serotonin which is extremely important for regulating our moods.

Serotonin deficiency leads to depression which can be a debilitating and recurring condition that in turn causes other mental health issues.

Insomnia

Sleep disorders are often a result of chronic stress as well as depression. The issue here is that sleep deprivation can cause or exacerbate many other mental health issues such as anxiety and also diminishes our ability to focus, reason, and plan. It’s also likely to exacerbate depression.

Personality Changes

When we talk about personality, we refer to the consistent patterns of emotion, behaviour and thought make us individuals.

Our personalities are influenced by various factors, including our genes, upbringing, environments, and experiences.

High levels of stress have shown to cause both minor and extreme changes in the behaviour of some individuals. These changes can be noticed as:

• Anger
• Aggressive feelings or behaviour
• Difficulty with communication
• Irritability
• Obsessive and/or compulsive behaviour
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Impulsive behaviour which is often considered risky (gambling, promiscuity, etc)
• Reduced productivity
• Tendency to lie

Dealing with Stress

Although it may be impossible to avoid stressful situations in this modern world we have created for ourselves, it is possible to find effective ways to deal with and manage the stress we have:

• Take some time out from all electronics and social media every day
• Practice 10 minutes (or more) of mindful meditation every day
• Make an effort to spend time outdoors every day, even just for a few minutes. Go for a walk in your neighbourhood or sit on a blanket in your garden (leave your phone inside)
• Try a new hobby or rekindle an old one that you really enjoy
• Start a gratitude journal and write down 3-5 things you are grateful for every single day
• Spend quality time with your loved ones
• Try talk therapy
• Improve your diet and lifestyle – cut out excess sugar and exercise more regularly
• Avoid alcohol use, especially during highly stressful situations

As 21^st century humans, we are in the habit of convincing ourselves that there is no time for self-care because we are “just too busy”.

This is one of the most harmful lies we can tell ourselves. If we can spend 30 minutes scrolling through social media every day, then we can definitely make time for ourselves so that we can reduce out stress levels.

Body Stress Release Brackenfell – Helping You Manage Stress

Although it’s impossible to get rid of your stress for you, Body Stress Release can assist with relieving the way stress affects our physical bodies.

It is a gentle yet highly effective technique which is designed to unlock physical and emotional stress that gets stored in our bodies.

In turn, you may experience pain relief, improved sleep patterns and ability to deal with day-today stress.

For more information about Body Stress Release, or to book a session with me, please don’t hesitate to contact me.