Stress is an unfortunate fact of modern-day life. Stress is an evolutionary mechanism that helped humans survive and thrive and, in small amounts, can spur us on to work harder or successfully address a situation. However, too much stress is bad for us. Chronic stress can negatively impact our immune system; make us tired, depressed, and anxious; lead us to eat more food than our bodies need; cause our blood pressure to rise; and even result in heart problems and make us susceptible to other illnesses.
What makes us stressed? Many stressors are external. That means they happen to us and are out of our jurisdiction, such as job demands, job loss, loss of a loved one, school pressures, current events, and more. Internal stressors come from our negative thoughts, unrealistic expectations, and bad behaviors, such as when we put too much pressure on ourselves orpursue unhealthy lifestyles.
Whether stress is internal or external, the physical and mental effects are the same. Insomnia, eating issues, loss of interest in daily life, irritability, and head and stomach pain are symptoms of stress that, if unrelieved, can lead to chronic stress. While talking to a mental health professional is recommended when stress feels overwhelming, there are many things we can do at home to lower our stress levels. Colors, scents, lights, and other factors that affect our senses have been confirmed to help people relax. That’s why we recommend swapping your wall color, adding plants to your décor, lighting candles, improving the lighting, and much more. The infographic also offers ideas for personal self-care that can be done at home, including dressing comfortably, enjoying a spa day, and soaking in a hot bathtub. Combined, these self-care activities will make your home into a true sanctuary for stressful times. You’ll be surprised at what a difference these seemingly easy things can make to your stress level!
Graphic created by ImproveNet.
