According to many experts, stress is becoming the main trigger for numerous illnesses and threatens to become a major health threat in the not too distant future. But what is stress? Today it is considered to be a feeling or sensation of tension on both an emotional and physical level. It is usually provoked as a reaction to an event, situation or thought; where the body and mind feel tense, nervous, restless, sad and even fearful.
There are certain moments in life when stress is good and even necessary: when we must flee from imminent danger, perform an action quickly, be on alert, etc. In these situations, the body releases a host of hormones, such as cortisol, which help the different physiological processes to activate quickly and better. The problem arises when this stress occurs with a certain frequency without any danger; and instead of helping the organism, it punishes it by producing terrible health consequences.
The continuous release of cortisol can produce some of the following consequences in the body:
- At the physical level: hair loss, skin changes (appearance of spots), swallowing problems (lump in the throat), lack of appetite, changes in the microbiota and intestinal permeability, increased general inflammation.
- At the psychological level: worsening of sleep due to over-activation, irritation, lack of concentration, memory loss, sadness and depression.
As you can see, some of these consequences are terrible and can lead to serious illnesses if sustained over time. Is there a remedy to combat stress? Certain measures can be applied that can achieve good results:
- Practice some physical activity regularly
- Follow sleep routines and sleep hygiene
- Socialising
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Carrying out relaxation routines such as meditation or breathing control