Stress can be triggered by work pressure, tight schedules, financial problems, conflicts, etc. The best way to relieve stress depends on the type of stress we’re experiencing. Here, I’ll mention the two types of stress and how to relieve them.
Acute Stress
Acute stress comes on quickly, unexpectedly, and is brief. Some examples of acute stress are starting a new job, running late, and arguing with someone.
How to relax and recover from acute stress:
- Take deep breaths – When we experience acute stress, our heart rate escalates, muscles tense up, and our breathing rate increases. We can slow it down by taking a few deep breaths.
- Listen to music – Research has shown that listening to music that has a slow tempo helps us to relax and decreases our stress.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress occurs over a long period of time and can take a toll on the body. Chronic stress might be caused by a dissatisfying job, financial difficulty, and a dysfunctional marriage.
How to relax and recover from chronic stress:
- Get active – Exercise causes our body to produce endorphins, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, which can help in reducing stress.
- Cultivate supportive relationships – Having a solid support system can shield us from the negative effects of chronic stress.
- Get enough sleep – A good night’s sleep reduces our body’s stress hormones. Therefore, getting adequate sleep can help alleviate chronic stress.
Episodic Acute Stress
Episodic acute stress refers to frequent, consistent periods of stress where the stressful experiences occur frequently. Generally, this type of stress is most common for people who are always under pressure and/or always worry things are always going to go wrong.
How to relax and recover from episodic acute stress
- Go for a walk – if we are under pressure, just 5 minutes of fresh air and a change of scenery could help us to feel calmer.
- Focus on the positives – rather than thinking about the worst scenario, try to spend a few times thinking positively. Staying positive allows your brain to avoid stress and stay calm.
Final Thoughts
We can’t control what life will throw at us, but we can learn to cope with negative situations and deal with stress in a healthy way. Try to practice the strategies that I’ve mentioned the next time you feel you are under stress.
Very informative solution to handle stress. Thank you.
It can be as small as getting a vaccine which I did yesterday.
I went for a walk and lunch after, meeting up with friend later in the afternoon. I felt relax when I get home, able to have a nap.
Thank you for the tips for managing stress. I often have personal experiences with music. Listening to my favourite songs make me feel relaxed & soothed thereby release the stress.