Stress is inevitable. Whether faced with serious danger or a minor inconvenience, everyone will experience stress at some point in life. When your body reacts to stress, it responds in physical, mental and behavioral ways in order to keep you safe. Perpetual stress can have negative effects on a person’s health and has a direct connection to productivity levels. Management techniques can help you live with stress in a healthy way.
What is stress?
Stress occurs when the human body experiences a physical and/or mental reaction to potential danger. The challenges, or “stressors”, that cause this response can range anywhere from everyday tests of patience to more serious and threatening scenarios. Stress is entirely normal, and every person experiences it from time to time. In truth, people are built biologically to be able to recognize, withstand and react to stressful environments. As explained by the Cleveland Clinic, the body’s autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, houses its own stress response to challenging situations. When activated, this “flight-or-flight” mechanism triggers muscle preparedness, heightened awareness and an increase in blood pressure. This prepares the body to either attack the obstacle head-on or flee to safety.
Stress is important in that it can help a person adapt to new challenges and demands, but it also can become problematic if not managed properly. Constant or chronic stress causes unwanted strain on the body, which can cause physical, mental, and behavioral problems to develop over time
How stress affects productivity
When introduced to a stressful situation, the body might experience things like increased perspiration, muscle cramps and dizziness. Irritability, restlessness and fatigue might begin to grow, and certain stress-related behaviors could begin to develop over time. Whether dealing with a personal or professional stressor, these physical, emotional and behavioral hurdles can make it difficult to get things done. The symptoms and complications caused by stress affect productivity in the following ways:
- Lack of energy: The physical and mental strain caused by stress can make it difficult to complete both major and minor tasks.
- Lack of focus: Concentration issues resulting from stress can make it difficult to pay attention and achieve goals.
- Constant worry: An anxious, wandering mind paired with a fear of failure can make starting a new project feel like a waste of time.
- Reduced creativity: It is near impossible to to begin and complete a new venture without motivation or inspiration.
- Negative emotions: When feelings of sadness and anger take over, productivity levels decrease.
Is there positive stress for productivity?
Many people consider all stress to be bad stress. This simply is not true, as individuals experience “positive” stress just as often. Healthline highlights that this positive stress, known as eustress, is generally a by-product of the excitement that comes when faced with a fun and stimulating challenge. Eustress gets people out of their comfort zones and helps them get motivated, goal-oriented and optimistic about the future. It encourages confidence and yields positive feelings of enthusiasm, purpose and fulfillment.
Eustress exists in all aspects of daily life and regularly pops up in the workplace, romantic relationships and family matters. It keeps the mind and body stimulated in a positive way when confronted by a particular stressor. This motivated, focused and headstrong attitude that comes with eustress ultimately increases productivity, which is vital in terms of personal growth and overall well-being.
How to deal with constant stress
If ignored, long-term stress can cause more serious health complications. Anxiety, depression and high blood pressure are just a few ways that stress can manifest itself inside of your body. Taking the time to slow down and notice the first signs of excessive stress is crucial to your physical and mental well-being. The following lifestyle changes can help you manage stress and lead a more peaceful life:
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule: Getting an adequate amount of rest is vital for restoration and recovery. A healthy sleep pattern can help you manage and alleviate stress.
- Eat a well-balanced diet: The human body relies on nourishing foods to keep it healthy and resilient. It is important to eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of water in order to stay in control of stressors.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity increases a person’s energy, focus and positive thinking. It can turn your mood from bad mood to good and improve the way your body manages stress.
- Focus on recovery: The daily demands of life can pile up fast, and taking a moment to slow down can feel counterproductive at times. Relaxation must be prioritized for your holistic well-being.
- Practice meditation and mindfulness: Yoga, breathing techniques and journaling are just a few things you can do to stay present and escape stress.
- Recognize when you need more help: If stress becomes unmanageable, it might be time to ask for help. Family, friends and mental health professionals are all excellent resources to reach out to.
- Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy: When your HGH levels are depleted, you may experience a rise in stress levels and a decline in concentration and focus. Learn about all the benefits of the best HGH injections to determine if this particular therapy meets the needs of your body and lifestyle.
Stress cannot be avoided entirely. However, taking the time to understand how your body reacts to stress can help you live with it. Learning to deal with stress is possible through a number of lifestyle measures and management techniques. Taking control of your stress can empower you to lead the most fruitful and productive life possible.
