Stress And Mental Health: 7 Things You Need to Know

Stress can impact your mental health in a variety of ways. Understanding how stress can both positively and negatively impact mental health can help you gauge whether or not you need to seek assistance or find new methods for managing your stress levels effectively.

 

Yes, some stress is good for you. Too much stress can cause issues.

 

Health experts at Summa Health explain that “a little bit of stress is inevitable, but oftentimes that’s a good thing.” Yes, some stress can be good for your overall well-being! 

 

For example, in small doses, stress can serve as a motivator. This is the kind of stress that motivates you to pay bills on time, attend classes, try your best at work, attend your appointments, and tackle household projects. This stress is typically alleviated once the “to-do” item gets crossed off your list. These small accomplishments are good for your mental health, too – it feels good to know you’re caught up. 

 

The real issues lie in prolonged stress that doesn’t get alleviated. 

 

You can experience short-term and long-term “bad” stress.

 

Summa Health’s mental health experts say that while some short-term stress can be beneficial (see above), there are types of short-term and long-term stress that can cause mental health issues. 

 

For example, Summa Health explains that the types of “bad” stress are those that leave you feeling…

 

• Anxious

• Confused or “foggy brained”

• Tired

• Unable to focus 

• Like your performance levels are low 

 

Prolonged stress is a direct contributor to the formation of mental health issues.

 

There are many reasons why mental health issues can form. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health explains that prolonged stress can be a direct contributor to a number of mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and depression.

 

The CAMH explains how “stress is the result of brain chemicals, called hormones, surging through the body. These hormones make people sweat, breathe quicker, tense their muscles and prepare to take action. 

 

When this happens, a person's built-in alarm system – their “fight-or-flight” response – becomes activated to protect them.” In small doses, this is helpful. However, when this cycle is constantly activated, it can lead to serious changes in brain chemistry, impacting mental health. 

 

Stress-related issues are exacerbated when “fight or flight” cycles aren’t completed.

 

Harvard Medical School describes the importance of having a “fight or flight” response in stressful situations. The cycle begins when someone experiences stressful stimuli. After the amygdala sends a distress signal, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system by sending signals through the autonomic nerves to the adrenal glands. These glands respond by pumping the hormone epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) into the bloodstream.

 

This is helpful because it encourages you to act (or run, hence the “flight”) in the face of a stressor, which can save your life. However, when everyday life situations cause you to continually find yourself in “fight or flight” mode, you never actually complete the cycle. Instead of finding yourself back to safety, your stress triggers the cycle to begin again immediately. Over time, this can lead to big mental health impacts.

 

Unchecked stress can lead to even more stress, causing further strain on mental health. 

 

Unchecked stress often begets more stress. The National Institute of Mental Health explains how “if that anxiety doesn’t go away and begins to interfere with your life, it could affect your health. You could experience problems with sleeping, or with your immune, digestive, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems.” 

 

If you allow your stress to snowball and turn into anxiety, you could find yourself dealing with an even larger issue than you originally faced. This is why learning how to manage stress is crucial. Without proper management techniques, stress can run rampant on your mental health.

 

There are lifestyle adjustments you can make to lessen the impact of stress on your mental health.

 

Fortunately, stress doesn’t have to rule over your life. The CAMH explains that there are a variety of ways people can combat the negative impacts of stress on their mental health, including…

 

• Eating well

• Getting enough sleep

• Prioritizing self-care and leisure time

• Limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption

• Prioritizing, organizing and delegating tasks

• Seeking support from family and friends

• Attending a support group or stress management program, consulting a health care professional or accessing self-help materials

 

Mental health professionals can help you learn how to cope with stress like a pro.

 

Sometimes, stress can feel like too much to handle alone – especially if you’ve recently experienced a particularly difficult life event or have been dealing with stress for a long time. In times like these, reaching out to a trained mental health professional is essential. 

 

The National Institute of Mental Health explains how “if you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, it may be time to talk to a professional.” These mental health professionals will know how to best tackle your stress issues, whether that is through therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

References

 

https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2021/01/stress-management-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-good-and-bad-stress#:~:text=A%20little%20bit%20of%20stress,smarter%2C%20happier%20and%20healthier%20person

 

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/stress

 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet

 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response

 

5 Powerful Signs You’re on The Right Path in Life

Do you sometimes wonder if you’re on the right path in life? It’s commonly asked by many people, and that’s understandable. Life is a journey, after all, and sometimes you need to check to be sure you’re heading in the right direction. 

 

There are some signs that will indicate that you are, in fact, heading where you wish to go. In this article, we will explore 5 powerful signs that you are on the right path in life. 

 

1. You’re Pursuing What You Love

 

Is your time spent doing things that really matter to you? Perhaps it’s your hobby, your job, or just something pursued in your idle time. If you are passionate about the things you do, and they make you happy, that’s a powerful sign that you are on the right path. 

 

Life isn’t just about working hard to make more money. It’s about finding satisfaction and joy in what you do. So, if your job or hobby brings your heart happiness and brightens your day, keep on that path. It means you’re thriving, rather than simply surviving. 

 

2. You’re Surrounded by Positive Influences

 

Look around you, right where you stand:

 

• Do you see hope?

• How about positivity?

• Do the people around you inspire you and lift you up?

 

If you answered “yes: to these questions, you’re on the right path in life. It takes time to fully understand it, but the people with whom you surround yourself play a crucial role in determining your life’s direction. 

 

Energy can be quite contagious, as can support. So, if you find yourself surrounded by negative people who drag you down, find some new friends. 

 

3. You Overcome Obstacles in Your Way

 

Being on the correct path in life does not mean everything magically and automatically falls into place all the time. When you see obstacles in front of you, come up with creative, innovative ways to work around them or overcome them. 

 

Consider a situation that is the opposite: Have you ever had a failing relationship or a thankless job that you felt was time to leave? Think about the inspiration you would feel if a wonderful opportunity presented itself right then and there, to make an escape. 

 

If you’re on your right path, obstacles won’t be anything more than small bumps in an overall smooth road. Giving up should not be an option. 

 

4. You Give Back to Others

 

Although your personal destiny is a single path, it isn’t solitary. You’ve probably had mentors in your life, and there will be more, as you continue life’s voyage. These people reach out to you, sharing their resources and knowledge. To honor their example, you can learn to give the same to others, still trying to find their way. 

 

Whether you tutor students after school or volunteer in a community food pantry, you are making a difference. This cycle of giving and receiving makes us all better people. 

 

5. You Learn Something New Every Day

 

You’ll never feel old if you put new information in your brain every day. You should end your day a bit wiser than when you awoke that morning. 

 

Some ways to learn something new:

 

• Socialize with others like coworkers or friends.

• Sign up for a class at a local college or trade school.

• Visit museums in your city.

• Read informational pages or articles. 

• Play word games or number games.

• Expand your vocabulary, even if it’s just one word a day.

• Learn a new language.

 

Conclusion

 

Deciding what path to take in life and determining if it’s right for you are things only you may determine. There isn’t just one path for each person, since many roads cross or lead the same way. 

 

Direction and circumstances may change during your journey, and nothing says you have to stay locked into one specific course. It is important to remember that if you are questioning whether a path is right for you, it may indicate that you need to change your path. 

 

Adapting Your Goals to Changing Times

Adapting goals to changing times is essential for staying relevant and effective. In a rapidly evolving world, what once seemed like a clear path to success may become obsolete or impractical. By continuously reassessing and adjusting our goals, we ensure they align with our current realities and opportunities. 

 

This flexibility not only enables us to remain responsive but also empowers us to seize new chances and mitigate risks as they arise. Adapting goals to changing times builds resilience, allowing us to navigate uncertainties confidently and creatively and reinforcing our sense of control and capability.

 

Distractions Are the Enemy of Goal Achievement

 

Distractions interfere with goal achievement, diverting our attention and energy from what truly matters. Whether they come in the form of social media notifications, procrastination habits, or unexpected interruptions, distractions sabotage our progress and diminish our productivity. 

 

They fragment our focus, making it challenging to maintain momentum and stay on track toward our objectives. Moreover, frequent distractions can erode our motivation and confidence, hindering our ability to make meaningful progress. 

 

That’s why developing discipline and creating environments that support concentration is crucial. Use strategies such as time-blocking, setting clear priorities, and minimizing disruptions to safeguard your focus and maximize your chances of success. For example, you can set specific times for checking social media or use productivity apps to block distracting websites during work hours. 

 

By recognizing distractions as obstacles to be overcome rather than inevitabilities to succumb to, we not only gain control over our attention but also steer toward our goals with unwavering determination, fostering a sense of motivation and accomplishment.

 

Review and Revise Regularly

 

Reviewing goals regularly, ideally monthly or quarterly, ensures they remain relevant and align with your ever-changing priorities and circumstances. This involves assessing your progress, identifying potential obstacles, and adjusting your strategies accordingly to stay on course towards achieving your desired outcomes. You can use tools like goal-tracking apps or create a simple spreadsheet to keep track of your goals and their progress.

 

As you review your goals, stay current about emerging trends, technologies, and market dynamics that may impact them. Be willing to let go of outdated strategies or aspirations that no longer serve their purpose. Instead, focus on identifying fresh opportunities and recalibrating your goals accordingly.

 

Welcome change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat or setback. By remaining proactive and flexible in adjusting your goals, you ensure they align with your evolving vision and aspirations, fostering a sense of proactivity and forward-thinking.

 

By recognizing distractions as obstacles, we can empower ourselves to take charge of our focus and productivity. For instance, by understanding that we can choose when to check our phones for notifications, we can better manage our attention. Through strategies like setting clear priorities, scheduling focused work sessions, and minimizing interruptions, we can create environments conducive to concentration and maximize our chances of success. By embracing discipline and mindfulness in our approach to distractions, we unlock the potential to achieve our goals more efficiently and confidently in an increasingly distracted world.

 

How Setbacks Can Refine and Strengthen Goals

Sometimes, we set goals that we abandon later. Life gets in the way, or we suffer enough setbacks to believe we are on the wrong path. We throw in the towel. 

 

What if we reframe setbacks as transformative experiences on the path to goal achievement? What if we recognized their potential to fortify our determination rather than viewing them as demotivating obstacles?

 

If you are pursuing a significant goal, you will encounter difficulties. Life will inevitably get in the way. When it does, and you suffer a setback, here are some things to remember to keep you focused on your goal. No matter who you are or what your goal is, these strategies can help you stay on track.

 

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

 

Consider this: a setback can be a powerful teacher if you choose not to give up. It can equip you with valuable insights, such as what strategies don't work. Armed with this knowledge, you can adapt and approach the issue from a new angle. 

 

Furthermore, setbacks can be a catalyst for building resilience. This ability to bounce back after a setback is crucial for achieving significant goals. If you stumble or fall short, take a step back and analyze objectively. You can then adjust your goal to make it more within reach.

 

Barriers Refine Your Vision

 

A setback might force you to modify your goals to make them more attainable. You keep the desired outcome in mind but try a different approach. This refined vision is an advantage of encountering obstacles - as long as you remain receptive to new ideas. With a few revisions, your action plan can anticipate and overcome future problems.

 

Setbacks Are Inevitable, So Why Not Embrace Them?

 

Have you ever seen something approaching and knew you couldn't avoid it? This sometimes happens with acts of nature. Your local meteorologist warns of an impending hurricane. In some cases, you might have time to prepare for its impact. You don't ignore it or cross your fingers and hope it will change course. You take the necessary actions. 

 

Setbacks you encounter on your goal path are as inevitable as the occasional act of Mother Nature. Treat them as you would an impending hurricane or another significant weather event. 

 

Prepare for them ahead of time. View them as temporary. After you encounter them, learn what lessons you can so you act with more information in the future. 

 

Embrace them, overcome them, strengthen your resolve for future encounters, and get back on the path to goal achievement. Now, I challenge you to think about a setback you've faced recently. How can you turn it into an opportunity for growth? What lessons can you learn from it? Take a moment to reflect and then take action.

 

Setting Goals in an Uncertain World

Are your goals linked intimately to your strongest beliefs? When you sat down to create a game plan for living your dreams, did you consider your values? If you haven't, the ever-shifting world we live in might leave a bitter taste in your mouth when you strive for your goals instead of the sweet taste of success that comes from aligning your actions with your values.

 

Attach Your Values to Your Most Important Goals

 

Some people value free time highly. They arrange their lives so they have as much time as possible to do what they enjoy rather than what they must. For instance, they might prioritize their hobbies or spend more time with their loved ones. Others value family or friendship above all else, while some chase the almighty dollar as their existence's be-all, end-all motivator.

 

Take some time to review your values. Don't just look at the surface level. Dig deep and uncover the biggest motivators. It's easy to be distracted by what society or marketing messages try to convince you is your best life path. Ensure your values are your own and not dictated to you by someone else.

 

Revisit the Most Unpredictable Circumstances You Have Had to Experience

 

The global financial crisis of 2008 was the largest since the Great Depression. It was triggered by a combination of factors, including the bursting of the United States housing bubble, high-risk lending practices, and the spread of toxic assets. The Great Recession that followed saw a European debt crisis that saw Greece, Portugal, Ireland, and Cyprus require rescue from economic default.

 

While many financial experts had predicted something troubling on the horizon before those devastating monetary collapses, it caught most people by surprise. People abandon their financial goals unless they have some relation to a person's core beliefs and deep-seated values.

 

When Your Goals Mean Something, You Persevere

 

What are your big goals right now? Think about the first two or three things that come to mind. Look at them closely. Are they truly related to your unique and personal values, or are they 'cookie-cutter copies'-of generic goals others have achieved but which may not align with your aspirations?

 

Life is uncertain on its most predictable day and unpredictable much of the time. In the face of such uncertainty, ensure your goals reflect your true values. If not, the motivation to realize them can disappear as circumstances change.

 

One of life's certainties is that you will face uncertainty your entire life. 

 

You can work diligently to control your environment, influences, and experience, but life will inevitably taunt you with unforeseeable challenges. When you base your goals on your most important beliefs, they stand a better chance of surviving the uncertainties the fickle finger of fate will force you to face.

 

Overcoming Success Anxiety

Success anxiety is a surprisingly common yet often overlooked challenge faced by individuals who achieve or are on the verge of achieving their goals. While success is typically seen as a positive outcome, it can also bring pressure, self-doubt, and a fear of losing what has been gained. This type of anxiety can hold you back from enjoying your accomplishments and even cause you to sabotage future opportunities. Understanding and overcoming success anxiety is essential for maintaining your achievements and finding true fulfillment in them.

 

1. Embrace Imperfection

 

Perfectionism often fuels success anxiety. Accept that mistakes are part of growth and allow yourself the grace to be imperfect. It’s okay if things don’t always go as planned.

 

2. Celebrate Small Wins

 

Instead of focusing solely on the next big achievement, take time to celebrate small victories. Recognizing progress helps reinforce a positive mindset and alleviates the pressure to always do more.

 

3. Reframe Your Thoughts

 

Challenge the negative thoughts that arise with success anxiety. Shift your focus from fear of failure to thoughts of growth, learning, and new opportunities that success can bring.

 

4. Set Healthy Boundaries

 

Success often leads to increased demands on your time and energy. Setting clear boundaries with work, personal life, and obligations can help you manage stress and avoid burnout.

 

5. Practice Mindfulness

 

Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation can help you stay grounded. These practices reduce anxiety by keeping you present rather than worrying about future success or failure.

 

6. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome

 

Shifting your attention to the journey rather than obsessing over the outcome can ease anxiety. Enjoy the steps to reach your goals rather than fixating on the results.

 

7. Keep Perspective

 

Remind yourself that success does not define your worth. Your value as a person is independent of your achievements. Keeping this perspective helps to minimize anxiety about maintaining or losing success.

 

8. Share Your Feelings

 

Success anxiety can feel isolating but talking about your fears and concerns with trusted friends, family, or mentors can provide support. Often, sharing your struggles takes away some of the power anxiety holds.

 

9. Accept That Anxiety Is Normal

 

Understanding that feeling anxious about success is natural can help you stop fighting it. Accept the anxiety, but don’t let it control your actions. You can learn to coexist with these emotions while still moving forward.

The Essential Role of Self-Discipline in Overcoming Obstacles

Life is full of barriers. Sometimes, the impediments you encounter on your journey seem impossible to overcome. Usually, though, there is a solution to life's problems. Make the following considerations when you require discipline to overcome a hardship.

 

Take The First Step

 

Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher in the 6th century BCE. As with most philosophers during this early age of enlightened thinking, he had several views on living that still apply today. Here's a quote credited to him that can help you improve your discipline: "Beginning is half of every action."

 

It's only natural to stop dead when you have a big obstacle in front of you. It makes sense. You have to judge how this impediment to your progress can be overcome. The key is to avoid getting stuck in this assessment process.

 

Discipline means taking action. It's like courage in a lot of ways. You act even though you are uncertain about the outcome. When roadblocks appear without warning, take some time to formulate an action plan. Then act. The key to finishing is starting, so don't let life's obstacles keep you from progressing to a great outcome.

 

Become Your Hero

 

Do you have a favorite movie star? There may be a leader in finance, politics, or some other field that you look up to. You are their biggest fan. One way to develop rock-solid self-confidence is to model that person.

 

What would they do if they were going through the same situation you are encountering? How would they react? Certainly, they would succeed. That's one of the things you respect about them: their ability to reach new levels of achievement reliably. When it's tough to push on, be the person you admire in your mind. This can give you the discipline to keep going.

 

Answer This Simple Question

 

Life gets difficult at times. You've already encountered this natural law. You wouldn't be here now if you weren't a survivor, someone who has overcome difficulties in the past.

 

There have been times you had to practice incredible self-control. Even though you have succeeded in these situations, it might be tough to see yourself getting past some difficulty now. Answer this simple question when self-doubt threatens to keep you from creating the reality you deserve.

 

What am I willing to do to change my life?

 

Will you confidently take a step today to overcome an obstacle when you prefer to wait until tomorrow? Discipline is about choosing to do something you'd rather not do right now to improve your life. Answering that question fills you with the energy and confidence needed to push forward and gives you the first action you need to take to create change.

 

Remember that you can't control everything that happens in your life. The only thing you can control is your response. Choosing not to react when life gets hard will change your situation. Disciplining yourself to take action when obstacles appear is its own reward.