Stress is the mental and emotional strain people experience when they face a stressful situation, which both internal and external factors can cause.

With an infectious disease like COVID-19 still making the news, life can be tougher for some working-class people, especially the front liners.

A “fight-or-flight” response can be when someone has an automatic physiological reaction to an event, which could be stressful or frightening, often initiated by external factors such as deadlines, conflict, or family strife. Still, it can also be triggered internally from thoughts of worry or doubt about one’s capabilities.

For example, a person who feels pressure to handle a heavy workload will likely feel stress until their workload decreases.

How to tell if we are stressed?

In 2021, you can tell in two ways, through tests or sometimes, detecting symptoms at home. You can figure out your stress levels through a blood pressure checker. Some of you have that at home. So, a simple check could remove plenty of those worries.

There is also a test that can measure the amount of cortisol in your saliva. This way, people who are stressed can get treatment before it becomes too severe.

You can do an EEG (Electroencephalogram that detects abnormalities in brain waves) test for brain activity or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging that produces detailed images of the inside of the body) scan for the brain to find more details about your stress levels. 

These are just a few ways to detect stress in modern life.

Causes of Stress

Stress can be due to several things, including being overworked, feeling anxious about an upcoming event, or feeling under pressure. Stress can also be caused by not getting enough sleep or exercising.

The best way to find out if you are stressed is to monitor your stress levels. The most common way is to take a day or two off from work and use this time for self-reflection and relaxation. If you still feel stressed after that period, then it’s likely that you are not taking care of yourselves enough.

Regardless of how you find out, you must be wary of symptoms and deal with them accordingly.

How to relieve stress?

Stress can adversely affect your health. It makes you anxious, agitated, or even depressed if you don’t manage it well. However, there are some ways to relieve stress in 2021.

Some people find that developing new skills is an excellent way to relieve stress. They could learn so many new and exciting skills – from making a website for your small business to learning how to dance. 

Learning something new may be just what someone needs to reduce their feelings of anxiety and unease in the world.

Another thing that people could do is spend more time with friends and family members they care about deeply. Humans beings are social creatures, and spending time with those most important in our lives will help us feel happy and fulfilled again.

Family get-togethers are even more remedial for people who tend to connect less with strangers or prefer having connections within a small circle.

A stress-free life warrants that you reduce your social media usage, helping you spend more time with the people around you and be aware of what is happening in the world.

It would be best to get rid of your TV because it makes you less productive and less creative. I am just kidding! Of course, please do not get rid of it. TV helps too! Just limit its usage if you are too hung up with it.

You might also change your diet so that it includes more proteins, good fats, and vegetables. These are essential for an overall healthy lifestyle.

Hit the gym if it makes you feel better.

Stress levels can reduce once you feel content and fulfilled with your life. It can start with small things you achieve throughout the weeks, months, or years. 

Feel more confident in the things you do well by mastering them level after level. 

Once you figure out stress and cope with it, you would feel more confident in dealing with it. Last, experience is the best teacher as it helps us deal with things if such were to occur again.

Most of the time, if the stress levels are manageable, you would be better at finding out what works for you. Sometimes, people whom you trust can also help you along the way.

Do your best! You GOT this!