Stress is part of our daily lives, whether you’re a student, full-time parent or in the workplace. It can manifest in many different ways – emotional, physical or psychological.
Physical symptoms can include aches and pains, fatigue, sleeplessness, headaches and stomach upsets such as diarrhoea or constipation.
Psychological symptoms are depression, anxiety, and being unable to cope with your daily tasks or life.
Stress-causing nail-biting
One of the ways stress can manifest in your behaviour, is by biting your nails.
According to Cape Town-based dermatologist Dr Matete Mathobela, nail biting can often be associated with anxiety and depression.
“Nail biting is a non-destructive, temporary automatic habit where individuals bite their nails when they are bored, stressed, waiting in a line, or even reading a book or watching TV. It is common in adolescents, and its prevalence decreases with age,” says Mathobela.
Mathobela advises those who are biting their nails, to try learning what the triggers are. Always seek professional help when you can’t cope.
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Beware of stress-eating
When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, people also tend to find solace in food or eat unhealthy food that can lead to more feelings of inadequacy or depression.
Johannesburg-based dietitian Tabitha Hume explains that eating junk food can produce a temporary feeling of pleasure and relief, but in the long term, it can lead to a variety of health problems.
“If you are using food to improve your mood, you are not facing and dealing with the problem. The type of food that people eat to eliminate stress makes the blood sugar level rise quickly, causing the production of lots of insulin,” Hume says.
“Healthier alternatives would be having enough fruits and vegetables, slow-release carbohydrates, lean proteins, whole grain products, and definitely much more plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. A diet containing these can greatly improve mental health and create a much better mood.
“Going for a walk, run, or any exercise can also dramatically improve one’s mood because not only does it improve circulation, but it also causes the release of endorphins, and endorphins are direct mood enhancers,” she advises.
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Find an escape from stress
Dr Jude Clark, a clinical psychologist from Kleinmond, a small coastal town outside Cape Town, believes that the environment we live in has a significant impact on our physical and mental health.
“For those who are based in the city, escaping to the rural areas for the holidays can be very valuable – for the body, the mind and the spirit,” Clark says.
“The city puts the brain on high alert because of the range and intensity of stimuli, one could even argue, that it is an overstimulation – of sounds, sights, movement, colours, decisions, everywhere, all the time.”
According to Clark, spending time in nature has been proven to have several health benefits, including stress reduction, improved mood, and a stronger immune system. She suggests that a weekend away from the city can help people reset and recharge, making it easier to return to the busy urban environment feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever life throws at them.
“Being in nature reduces blood pressure, decreases the heart rate, reduces muscle tension and boosts the immune system.”
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Detox from negativity
A negativity detox will help you feel more connected to your purpose in life and your relationship with your body.
Dr Leila Sadien, a medical doctor who champions a holistic approach, says while detox diets aim to flush physical toxins, there’s a crucial need to address the mental and emotional toxins that can also weigh us down.
It’s important to be open and honest with yourself about where this negativity comes from and how you wish to deal with it, Sadien advises. Once you accomplish this, you can lighten your load and be kinder to yourself.
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ALSO READ: Stressed out? Consider mindfulness and meditation to cope
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