The Mechanics of Stress: Solutions for Mental Well-Being

Anxiety seems to keep tightening its grip on our everyday lives. So, let’s talk about the science behind stress, and how we can take care of ourselves. Stress is a biochemical reaction of the body to certain changes. The brain loves stability, therefore moments when the body has to continuously adapt to negative circumstances that we have no control over are stressful. 

Anne Maston, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, believes that every person has a certain "surge reserve" in their psyche, or an inviolable reserve of strength for a rainy day. In circumstances where stress is a one-off event, we can rely on these reserves. But in today's reality, we don't have enough strength. We simply cannot replenish our resources in time between stressful moments. 

What should we do to at least try to take care of our mental health? 

Make a plan in any unfamiliar situation. Our mental health likes to find patterns — it makes us feel stable. Just an illusory appearance that you are following the plan will not allow the emotions to flow. Besides, by "plan," we do not mean a rigidly laid out day. You can begin by creating a routine first. Create a daily schedule that includes food, exercise, and leisure time. Maintaining consistency promotes familiarity and provides solace when faced with uncertainty. If that doesn't sit well with you, consider mindfulness practices, which center around introducing habits like meditation or deep breathing into your daily routine. These daily patterns could serve as pillars of support during stressful times. 

In addition, pause to live through the next transformation. The first response of the psyche to a stressful change is "fight or flight". When faced with anxiety, we tend to push ourselves to the point of exhaustion in search of an immediate solution. Even when in peril, we should shift our attention from the horrible to the familiar by doing something mechanical to distract ourselves, like counting objects. Introduce yourself to a pattern that will guide you through times veiled by darkness and uncertainty. It can be anything from reciting the names of your family members to counting down seconds.