Stress is something we inevitably deal with. No matter how much we try to avoid it or prevent it, looking for ways to do those things adds up more stress into our lives. Not only does it affect our mental health, but it also affects us emotionally, physically, and often even our spiritual health can be affected. Health industries have long been profiting from this condition. Many over-the-counter or prescription medications, therapeutic massage, or alternative treatments have been produced all claiming to relieve us from stress. And although many of them have helped others, choosing the one that best fits you might cause more harm than help.

This type of condition is caused by both internal and external factors. A bad breakup, problems at work, negative feedbacks from your boss, certain expectations that wasn’t met, challenges, difficulties – all of these can cause stress. Common symptoms of this condition include a state of alarm and adrenaline production, exhaustion, irritability, inability to concentrate, headache or migraine, and often, elevated heart rate.

We all make different kinds of decisions every single day and stress can affect our ability to respond to certain situations. It affects our day to day activities by making us have a more negative outlook on things; it generates poor judgment, and triggers social withdrawal and depression that cause increased alcohol and drug consumption.

By definition, stress is our body’s reaction to stressor (a stimulus that causes stress in an organism) – whether it is real or imagined. The mental exhaustion of having to deal with this type of condition often causes our body more physical damage. The effect of stress, especially during chronic states, can be seen physically since it diminishes our body’s ability to respond effectively. The mental health’s reaction to stress greatly influences our body’s capacity to function properly. Studies have shown that some stress-related complications include: depression, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, obesity, heart disease, obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder, ulcerations, or even sexual dysfunction, among others.

Many treatments have been made to alleviate stress – these include medications (sedatives, antihistamines, etc.), counseling, etc. Identifying what causes stress in your life is always the first step in its treatment. Allowing yourself to be open about it and letting other people help you through it can greatly assist you in getting that appropriate treatment that your body needs. And if it help, remind yourself that this shall pass, like everything else in life.