What is stress?

Encyclopedia Britannica defines stress as:
“In psychology and biology, (stress is) any strain or interference that disturbs the functioning of an organism. The human being responds to physical and psychological stress with a combination of psychic and physiological defenses. If the stress is too powerful, or the defenses inadequate, a psychosomatic or other mental disorder may result.” It is true! Stress is one of the most talked about concerns of modern day living!
A few years back, we would relate the phenomenon , only with high-powered executives or business people….but now one hears of stress in relationships, stress at workplace , stress among youth and even….stress among children ! Stress is all pervasive, it seems, and no one can really escape this silent killer.

Stress related issues are many and well documented: Fatigue, Anxieties, Irritability & Anger, Depressions, Heart ailments. (etc.)

So let us accept that stress is inevitable! But what we should refuse to accept is the fact that stress cannot be harnessed!

The answer …to tame this new-age monster…. is de-stressing! Sounds very simple? But it takes some doing!

De-stress has been defined as: To become or cause to become less stressed or anxious.

The definition itself pre-supposes that a totally stress-free life is actually an impossibility. It is even argued that a certain degree of stress is actually desirable….as it motivates one to achieve!

Not getting into the semantics, we would just like to believe that de-stressing is EXTREMELY ESSENTIAL for a healthy and joyful living!

Strategies for de-stressing:

A million books and articles have been written on the subject. Some excellent…some repetitive….and others… simply rhetoric!

So what new are we going to write?

We thought that some simple yet ‘magical–home-grown-truths’ might suffice:

1. Love yourself
   
   We all are self-conscious and want to believe/project that we are perfect/great! But at a subtler level of consciousness we might not be having this confidence!
   
   The issue here is of self-worth! So please don’t feel ‘small’ and live this life with self-esteem! Please remember that each individual is unique!
2. Express yourself
   
   A lot of do’s and don’ts have been thrust upon us! Most significantly, we are ‘advised’ never to share our inner thoughts….as we might be taken for a ride …but a flip side of the coin is….this life is far too precious to worry about these ‘rides’ . One of the finest stress busters is to SIMPLY be honest and say what you feel! Of course….a little bit of articulation wont hurt! And common sense has to be the guide! But still….being expressive and poor is far better than being secretive, rich and yet living a life of inner turmoil!
3. Become Creative
   
   A creative expression is the best answer to stress…..and also to the thoughts of low self-esteem!
   
   You don’t have to be a best selling writer or a painter to be called ‘creative’. Simply look at things from an altered perspective (different from taught paradigms/methods)…and try and find connections between seemingly disjointed things etc.
   
   A few examples:
   
   Do Crosswords, riddles and other mental games
   
   Write a journal, write poetry, paint …. Or try to find ‘connections’ between academia/concepts and everyday life!
4. Become fit and look good
   
   Go for a jog….or a swim …or go to a gym…..but not to become a ‘six-pack abs’ or a super model! Do your workouts believing that it gives you joy! And soon….your exercise/game routine shall become your most looked forward part of the day!
   
   Also, pamper yourself with smart clothes and look your best….not dressy/trendy best….but smart!
5. Pray/Meditate
   
   Prayer and meditation are the most effective stress-busters!
   
   Become a spiritual person….that you already are! You don’t have to be a religious devout! Religion is not spirituality….to remain innocent, pure, helping, forgiving and exploring is what would make you spiritual!
6. Have a hobby/passion
   
   Don’t evaluate everything in terms of ‘have to dos‘….Explore your adolescent/teenage passions and keep them as your faithful companions. The idea is to have a ‘hobby’ that would convert your loneliness into rewarding alone-ness!
7. Never lose your sense of humor
   
   They say that one can laugh one’s worries away!
   
   Find humor in every difficult/embarrassing situation! It is tough….and we don’t mean that you try and laugh if you are about to lose your job…or get a low grade….but it is merely a mind-set that needs to be developed ! One can find a great deal of strength… to bounce back…if one can laugh at oneself!