Stress

This article provides adults with recommendations on how to alleviate stress in their daily lives. Short 10-minute breaks can significantly improve mental health, especially if they are used for activities like deep breathing, dancing, or writing down things you are grateful for. Building meaningful relationships, termed "social connectedness," can also alleviate stress and promote resilience. Additionally, maintaining physical health through diet, exercise, and proper medical care can greatly enhance emotional well-being.

This article explains that though “stress” and “anxiety” are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between the two. Stress is defined as the body's response to an external trigger and can be classified as acute or chronic. Anxiety, however, tends to be triggered internally by excessive thoughts and judgement. Whereas stress disappears when the trigger is gone, anxiety tends to stick around. If left unchecked, both can escalate into more severe mental health conditions.

This article examines the physiological effects of chronic stress on the human body, particularly in regards to the processes that occur in the brain. When faced with stress, the brain's amygdala sends a distress signal to its hypothalamus, which acts as the brain’s command center and coordinates the body's fight-or-flight response. While this response is crucial for immediate threats, frequent activation from daily stressors can harm the body over time. Chronic stress may result in high blood pressure, clogging of arteries, anxiety, and depression. Strategies to counter stress like teaching the body to relax, physical activity, and building social connections can help mitigate its adverse effects.