Whether you’re anxious about an important meeting or stuck in the world’s longest queue at the supermarket, little stresses can build up and affect both your body and mind, and if you try to bottle these feelings up, they could lead to long-term problems.
If you’re suffering from feelings of stress, you could be affected by everything from headaches and insomnia to depression and even a loss of libido. The effects of stress can also lead to problems later in life, such as type-two diabetes, or even heart problems, and a greater risk of a heart attack.
According to a recent survey by Bloomberg, which looked into feelings of stress in different countries, Norway and Luxembourg were named the least-stressed nations, with low levels of air pollution, corruption, and low unemployment rates. South Africa and Nigeria, however, were named the world’s most stressed-out countries.
There are many reasons why people might be feeling under so much pressure. In this day and age, there are hundreds of things affecting our physical and mental wellbeing, including financial worries, debt, relationships, and political uncertainty.
Students can be particularly affected by stress. One of the most stressful major life events is moving out of your parents’ house. Students are also under pressure with homework and the threat of exams looming over them all year round.
Leaving home for the first time ever can leave students feeling lonely and homesick, and students can put themselves under pressure to study 24/7. These days, more and more students have reported suffering from feelings of burnout and anxiety. A study conducted by the National Union of Students, in the UK, revealed that nine out of ten students have experienced stress.
Stress isn’t always bad. When you get stressed, your body releases a surge of hormones, triggering your “fight or flight” response. This gives you a boost of energy, sharpening feelings of concentration and motivating us to overcome obstacles. If we don’t overcome these threats, the adrenaline doesn’t go away, leading to an elevated heart rate and tense muscles.
It’s important to handle stress before it overpowers you. There’s no way of making it disappear with a click of your fingers, but there are ways of dealing with it. The most important way is to set aside time to relax. You can’t spend your time buried in books or sat with your eyes glued to your word processor. While you might think it’s a waste of time to go outside or play some sport, this will help you concentrate more when you get back to work.
If you really don’t want to leave your laptop, just try to do something other than studying, to take your mind off it. Watch something on Netflix, for example, or try your luck on an online casino, where a range of themed slots and even games using real-life dealers can prove to be a more interactive distraction. It’s important to give yourself something fun to do or look forward to after hours of studying.
Feelings of stress over a prolonged period of time isn’t something to take lightly. If you try and ignore these feelings, it could turn out to be dangerous for your health, so don’t be afraid to see a doctor or a therapist if you think it might help.