We live in a demanding world. We need to be multitasking, always available, within reach of a phone or computer. We worry about our jobs, our homes, the health of our loved ones, especially now, in the era of a pandemic. Some people think they handle it well, they convince themselves that it has to be that way, that stress is already an integral part of our lives. It happens, however, that the body cannot keep up with this crazy pace and cannot cope with functioning in constant tension. He begins to rebel and fail in health. He says, “enough, I can’t do this anymore.” And he sends us different signals.

These can be headaches, abdominal pain, more frequent infections – colds, herpes, cystitis. We dump them on the carbs of fatigue, and when we feel a little better, we move on.

How does stress affect our health?

Stress has a big impact on our health, first of all, it stimulates the body to produce the hormones we need to mobilize all forces to action: adrenaline and cortisol. We owe them a quick “injection” of energy that appears in difficult situations.

However, their positive effect on health is short-lived. If we live in tension for a long time, in a state of constant readiness, the excess of these hormones becomes harmful. It weakens the immune system, supports the development of cardiovascular diseases, contributes to obesity. It interferes with the secretion of hormones.
How does stress affect us

And it has a negative impact on our mental health: over time, it can lead to anxiety and depression. The problem is that many of our ailments are not related to a stressful lifestyle. We go from counselor to counselor, looking for the cause of the malaise. I believe that psychosomatic diseases have become the greatest plague of the 21st century.

Where to look for help?

An advisor we can trust. Because such a diagnosis during poor mental health is also not easy to accept. A patient who hears “you’re fine”, and yet suffers from real ailments, begins to seek help on his own. On the Internet, with strangers, among friends. Some experiment with diet, others try the so-called. alternative therapies.

Managing a patient with psychosomatic diseases requires a lot of experience of the counselor. We have to change the way of thinking. If any organic diseases have been excluded, instead of prescribing pills, it is better to refer the patient to therapy. I recommend rest, sleep, a healthy dose of exercise. The perfect em can be a meeting with friends, conversation, laughter, cuddling, which is sorely lacking in our times.

How do we deal with stress and mental health?

Constant stress cannot be underestimated. It is necessary to learn to soften it, discharge it in different ways. Although I am very much a “school” counselor, I believe that today we need all sorts of soothing therapies.

  • Yoga, tai chi, meditation. Forest “Baths”, i.e. the most frequent contact with nature.
  • These methods, which were once considered a paramedic, today turn out to be the only way out of the vicious circle, they deal with stress and, as a result, neutralize its negative effects.
  • There are also very important factors that I call the 4S system. It’s sleep, sex, sports and nutrition. If we make sure that they occupy the right place in our lives, it will be easier for us to cope with everyday challenges.