Very often we hear the word “stress” among our friends and families, but what do they actually mean?

Stress can be defined as the degree when one felt overwhelmed or unable to cope with the current situation as a result of pressures that are unmanageable. Sometimes, stress response is good as it can help us to push through difficult situations. However, when stress becomes excessive or too much to deal with, rather than helping us this pressure can make us feel overwhelmed and will have a negative impact on our health.

Stress can come from anywhere. You might feel stressed out at work due to long working hours, heavy workload or dealing conflicts with your colleagues. Stress might also come from your daily lives, such as having a traumatic injury, moving to a new home, or even just having a small argument with your family members.

People constantly suffering from stressful situations might experience the following:

• Physical symptoms, such as headache, fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Mental symptoms, such as poor concentration and judgment
• Emotional symptoms, such as irritability and depression
• Behavioral symptoms, such as eating disorders and nervous habits like nails biting

It is difficult to avoid stress in our lives, but we can learn to manage it:

• Stay active. Regular exercise can lift your mood.
• Learn to relax. Relaxation technique such as yoga and deep breathing can activate the body’s relaxation response.
• Connect with others. Spend some time with the people you love that will bring up your mood.
• Eat a healthy diet. Cut down on processed food and go for foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.