Every human being experiences stress daily. It’s unavoidable, and don’t try to avoid it or you’ll just be even more stressed.
As someone who doesn’t deal with theirs the greatest sometimes, I wanted to shed some light on the topic.
So, what exactly is stress? I think understanding what it is helps deal with it better in the long run.
Stress, according to the American Brain Foundation (ABF), is a “protective mechanism.” It signals we’re in trouble and we need to bounce from that situation.
In the short term, that’s great. In the long run, that’s not great. Per the ABF, long-term stress on the brain can “impair cognitive abilities, making it harder to focus, make decisions, and regulate emotions.”
That’s the cliff notes version basically. I will include a couple of links at the bottom that go more in depth.
Personally, I keep things bottled up in my head, or I don’t really do many relaxing things sometimes. Not constantly, just sometimes.
I think talking with trusted individuals, removing yourself from stressful environments, practicing mindfulness, going for a walk, reading a book, or whatever will help you relax, do it.
Once again, the whole “don’t stop working till you make it with no off days” mindset is horrible. At least in my opinion. That’s on top of the other stupid mindsets like as men we have to just “deal with it” or “men can’t cry.”
Those mindsets directly contribute to our stress. I promise you there’s no reality where those ideas will actually help you.
If you’re in a situation that’s hard to get out of, and you feel like you’re really struggling with stress, please try to get professional help. That’s the best thing I can say to you at that point.
Otherwise, prioritize your stress levels for yourself first. There’s no good work to be completed stressed out of your mind, and unable to function.
Always learning. Forever building.
-Ethan
https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-stress-affects-the-brain
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response