Mix & match

Renee Singh

Alleviating stress is something we are looking for at all ages and stages of life. When stress is acute it throws us off balance momentarily, that is why the alarm bells ring and we look for quick fixes.

Acute stress doesn’t last too long. It is triggered by unexpected situations which hit you like a jolt, shake you up a bit as you are not adequately prepared to handle it. Slow and long term progressive stress has a steadily rising positive impact but here it is instant. Your body’s stress response is also instant but can be reversed with quick relaxation techniques. These short term stress relievers give you instant relief from your extreme situation and help you get back to your day feeling less stressed and more relaxed. 

Breathing exercises

Long deep breaths are extremely beneficial.  They release a lot of stress from within. 

Mini meditation 

Learn to cater to a three-minute meditation techniques that brings instant calm. 

Cognitive reframing

Change the way you are viewing your situation.  This brings an instant change of perspective and a feeling of inner balance.

Progressive muscle relaxation 

This gives a level of calm by regrouping your thoughts. On the other hand we realise that many of us are involved in a much deeper issue which is chronic stress.

Chronic stress

Years of emotional abuse within our own selves leads to this condition. In case of chronic stress the body is subjected to waves of mental thoughts that recur at a regular pace. This is very damaging for the psyche and draining.  It could lead to a more serious stage of stress that may not be so easily reversible and curable. It will require humungous resilience of the mind and body.

Stress in severe cases could be the cause of several bodily ailments, gastrointestinal issues,  anxiety,  depression and BP and many other chronic type of illnesses. Managing this type of chronic condition requires a deeper level of understanding. 

Combination approach 

• A few short term stress relievers 
• Long term stress relieving habits

Regular exercise 

This helps in many ways to bust our stress issues.

• Look better, feel better.
• Relieves anxiety 
• Releases good hormones
• Releases pent up energy 
• Fit body keeps a fit mind

Supportive relationships

Having a support system is very crucial. Any emotional crisis which is the cause of huge stress is handled with ease if we have friends we can rely on. 

Music therapy

This is the simplest way to change your temperament. It is wonderful to have music playing while performing your tasks. The brain secretes happy hormones and this changes your energy patterns. 

Regular meditation 

By increasing your concentration and focus you can deal with stress in a very good way as it helps to build resilience and keeps your mind on a good scale.

Practice mindfulness

Keeps you rooted in the present and this is very required in an acute stage of stress. People constantly swing from past to future and feel chronically overwhelmed. 

Indulge in hobbies

Learning to find enjoyment in your own life is a personal prerogative. Whatever we enjoy in our lives takes us further away from stress. Getting joy from every situation is like a personal responsibility. 

 Learn to be kind to your own self. Keep the joy flowing and the stress will just fly away. 

(Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)