We are a generation of stressed out people. Many of us do not even realize this reality because we live fast-paced lives and we often shelve the idea that we need a break.
Stress is chronic and it starts with subtle symptoms.
If not properly addressed, it may lead to psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety.
“If one is stressed, the usual function such as taking care of oneself, maintaining relationships, working or studying and even playing for children are already affected,” says Enrique Felisario II, clinical psychologist of Rainbow Playroom Psychological Services.
For today’s #CDNDigital #HealthAndWellness issue, we bring some facts about stress that you need to know.
Stress knows no age.
A human being can start experiencing stress even on the first year of life.
Felisario says symptoms of a stressed child include inconsistent sleeping habits and temper tantrums.
A baby is a human being who is susceptible to stressful environment. That is why it is important that parents or caregivers respond to a child’s crying by communicating to the child through touch or songs. There is a need to check where the discomfort is because the baby might be hungry or he has soiled diaper.
Stress is brought about by environment and people.
There is no specific age that can be pinpointed as period where a person can be “most stressed.” This is because stress is brought about by one’s environment and the people that surrounds a person.
Felisario said stress can be caused by trauma, which he defined as an “experience that is abrupt and unexpected’ to the point that it overwhelms a person.
Stress can also be caused by a situation where you are functioning beyond your capacity. For example, if you work for a long period of time without rest, you become stressed.
A person can fight stress with rest and relaxation.
It’s difficult to escape stress; it is even more difficult to deal with it.
However, Felisario says that a person can combat stress with rest and recreation.
To rest means to ‘temporarily withdraw from what we are usually doing’. He says a person must make time for recreation, which includes quality time with one’s self in order to process their feelings and experiences.
Stress has emotional, mental and physical effects.
Peachy is the owner of Rainbow Playroom Psychological Services and clinical child and teen psychologist for more than 15 years.
In those cases, Felisario observed that stress does not only mess up mental and emotional health. It manifests itself in the forms of dizziness, nausea and headaches. Stress affects the cognition, emotions, and critical thinking of a person.
Stress can be someone, something, or even somewhere.
Instead of hiding from it, you can acknowledge it. Do not leave stress to lurk in the corner of your life. Fight it so it will go away. Devise plans on how you can combat stress.
Each person copes differently so you do what brings you relaxation to eliminate stress from your life.
Lastly, make it a goal to be always ready especially when stress decides to creep back into your life. /celr