Stress Isn’t the Enemy—Staying in it is.

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Today's workout was so thrilling. After the normal exercises; jogging, skipping, Push ups, and some body stretching activities, out instructor gave us a short talk on stress and how it affects the body.

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He said “Stress is the body’s way of responding when we face something difficult or unfamiliar" - as commonly defined. It’s like an inner alarm that goes off when you’re under pressure, maybe from exams, responsibilities at home, financial worries, or even unexpected situations like sickness. I didn’t know that a little bit of stress could actually help until he said so. He gave a reason that it sharpens your focus and pushes you to act fast. He also said that being stressed for too long becomes a problems.

When we feel stressed, the body enters what scientists call the "fight or flight" mode. This means your body gets ready to either face the problem or run away from it. In that moment, your heart races, you breathe faster, your muscles tighten, and certain hormones like adrenaline are released. These changes are helpful if you’re in danger or need to act quickly. But the body is not meant to stay in that state all the time.

I’ve noticed that the way I react to stress is mostly through mood swings and anger. When I’m stressed, everything seems to annoy me, even small things that I would normally overlook. I snap at people or feel like I want to be alone all day. It took me a while to understand that it’s not just me being ‘moody’, it’s my body reacting to stress.

Stress shows up in many ways. Sometimes I get headaches, struggle to sleep, or lose my appetite. Some people feel tired all the time, even after resting. Others may eat too much or too little. Stress also affects the skin causing breakouts, rashes. I’ve heard of people falling sick repeatedly, and when they went to the hospital, the doctor said it was stress-related.

It’s okay to be stressed sometimes. Life is full of ups and downs, and feeling stressed doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. In fact, short-term stress can help you prepare for an exam or motivate you to meet a deadline. But when stress becomes your everyday companion, it begins to damage both your mind and body.

The good news is that there are healthy ways to cope. One helpful method is doing the things we enjoy. Personally, I watch cartoons or maybe have a walk. Atimes, I play my favourite music and sing along.

Whether it’s writing, singing, walking, dancing, painting, cooking, or even watching a funny movie, these activities can ease tension and make you feel more like yourself again. Talking to someone you trust can also be relieving.

We may not always control the things that cause stress, but we can control how we respond to them. Taking care of yourself, resting well, eating healthy food, and doing what brings you peace, all are recommended. Your body, just like your mind, deserves care.

What I’ve learned is this: stress may come knocking, but I don’t have to let it stay.

Thanks for reading
@ritaetim