What stresses you the most? School, work, relationships? You know what they say: You can lead a boy to college, but you can’t make him think. Then again, Einstein said: Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.
But truly, do you even know what chronic stress can do to you? When you are in “fight or flight” mode, your body will send messages to the amygdala. This is the part of the brain that processes emotion.
The message then travels to your nervous system. Your heart rate will most likely increase as you secrete more cortisol and adrenaline. Now you really feel stressed and strained. Anxiety can impair your ability to concentrate and even make you more aggressive at times.
If you are in a chronically draining work environment, you are at risk for depression. Your immune system can get suppressed, leaving you more susceptible to colds, stomach issues, or even insomnia.
So how do you minimize your worry and nervous tension? You don’t? Y’all know what I believe. Laughter is truly the best medicine. Did you know that when you crack up and double over with laughter, your oxygen intake actually increases? It stimulates the release of endorphins, and simply anticipating something funny will increase those happy hormones.
Hug each other. Affection decreases cortisol and increases oxytocin, which creates feelings of attachment and bonding. Do spend time in nature. Just having a view of nature outside your window or owning a plant will ease your troubles and even lower your blood pressure on occasion. You know gardeners know all the dirt.
Please sip a hot tea or coffee. The ritual of preparing that mug has even been linked to relaxing emotions. Why did the hipster burn his tongue? Because he drank his coffee before it was cool. May your coffee kick in before reality does...
But honestly, light those scented oils while you’re at it. Your brain will be primed to slow down and just inhale. Perhaps the scent of those homemade chocolate chip cookies is reminiscent of your childhood. Maybe eating cookies wasn’t cheating on your diet. Maybe going on a diet was cheating on your cookies. Did your mom make warm apple pie? The fragrance can literally help you relive those happy memories.
Psychological distress constantly invades your body, which can easily make your heart pound or your stomach turn. Has anyone died from being overworked? Quite frankly—yes. Do not go it alone, sweet friends. Take a break and spend time with those you love. It may just save your life. Have you had any positive social interactions today?
There are certainly high-pressure events and uncertain outcomes in all of our lives. We can’t always answer “where,” “what,” or even “when” some things may occur. If you imagine all the different ways something might go wrong, you are inviting distress or even dread.
Try not to let your thoughts spiral out of control. The most significant source of tension in your life is reinforcing some of your negative habits. You have the power to overcome your apprehension.
Mindless habits turn your brain off. Scrolling through social media again? How many hours do you sit every day? Get off your feet, please. Physical activity will provide motivation instead of the mental fog those screens offer. You don’t even have to break a sweat to improve your state of mind. You know you’re hooked when taking a rest day takes more discipline than working out. Exercise much? Remember your body isn’t Amazon Prime. It takes more than two days to get what you want.
Curb your desires. Do not avoid what matters most. Yes, take out that garbage. Go food shopping. You know that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes: large, small, thin crust, deep dish, extra toppings… Listen, I want to go on a diet, but it seems I have too much on my plate right now. But seriously, do not neglect what makes you happy. You can say “no” and claim your time as your own. Do not waste mental energy pursuing perfect, sweet friends. By all means, learn to be happy with your best.
Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Queens. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Appointments are available throughout the week and weekends. She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at www.facebook.com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.
