If you learn to separate fact from fiction, half of your stress will be sorted out. It is good to be manageable about your stress. But there is so much mingling of truth and falsehoods that it becomes difficult to differentiate where to start. Read below as we have busted the top 10 myths about stress to pave your way to success.
Myth #1: Stress Is Bad For The Body
FACT: Stress is your body’s natural response when it senses things going awry. Everyone goes through stress, but the right amount of it is important to allow you to function normally as it is also a motivating factor. You need to worry if the stress starts interfering with your life, as too much of it for too long can surely make you ill.
Myth #2: Stress Is A Serious Mental Health Condition
FACT: Stress is not a mental health condition, rather is your body’s response to danger. But if it remains unaddressed for too long, it can positively cause mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, which will harm physical health too.
Myth #3: Stress Cannot Be Controlled
FACT: While it is entirely impossible to control stress triggers or sources, some simple techniques can make a big difference. exercising regularly, setting time aside to have fun, and spending time away from distractions, are just some effective techniques that can help in controlling stress. Even during days when you feel more stressed than usual, indulging in activities to relieve stress can help in ensuring that things don't build up.
Myth #4: Stress Will Cause Cancer
FACT: If you are struggling with stress, you for sure know the ill effects of stress. But stress is a psychological ailment and it cannot generate a disease on its own. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, don’t blame yourself for dwelling in stress. There are reasons that certain kinds of major life stressors, like the death of a partner, can contribute to a risk of a disease but prolong stress increases your risk but does not make it happen.
Studies indicate that stress pushes people to take up various coping mechanisms like alcohol abuse, overeating, or smoking which are all triggers for cancer. you should not allow the stressor to disrupt you from doing things that help you stay healthy like exercising regularly, sleeping for 7 to 8 hours daily, and eating balanced proportions of food.
Myth #5: Practicing Self-Care Will Manage Stress
FACT: In the world of wellness and health, self-care has become such a trendy buzzword. It is recommended to practice it by getting a manicure or lounging in a bath. There is no denying that these are great strategies to relax, they aren’t essentially soul-serving strategies to stop you from stressing out. The best route to self-care is sticking to your values. What drives you, what gives your life meaning, what matters most to you? For example, doing volunteer work may not be as relaxing as a beach vacation, but it will impart meaning to your life which is a great way to combat stress.
Myth #6: Tried And Tested Stress-Busting Techniques Work For Everyone
Fact: You will encounter numerous people who swear by the benefits of yoga or meditation for stress. But you have been ignoring them altogether because they make you feel more stressed. Your intuitions may be right. There is no standardized approach to fix stress because of the variations in lifestyle and temperaments.
Myth #7: Stress Will Cause Ulcers
FACT: There may be times when you told someone that their stress will cause them ulcers. That is not the case as these peptic ulcers are mainly due to a bacterial infection, helicobacter pylori to be precise. Likewise, if you have been taking NSAIDs for way too long, it can be another possible reason to get them. Since your brain and stomach are closely intertwined, so it’s rational to think that you feel stress in your stomach.
Myth #8: Once Stress Steps In, There Is No Going Back To Normal
FACT: If you are facing a worrisome incident, it is normal to feel stressed, your muscles become tense, and you also start to sweat. As soon as you notice this, you feel bad, and this makes matters worse. You can choose to reverse this snowball effect. Here, it is in your hands to think of techniques to neutralize the effects of stress. Battle one task at a time, so you would not feel overloaded with the challenge. The main goals are to calm your body and relax your mind. The way you deal with it and react to the stressor is what is important.
Myth #9: Alcohol Is A Great Stress Buster
FACT: Picturing yourself with a shot of vodka, battling your stress is an ideal perception. It will surely help you breathe easily, but the stressor will remain where it is. You aggravate your problems when you think of alcohol as the only resort for relaxation. Alcohol is a depressant, no more than that. Additionally, alcohol is not going to do you any good in any other way too. Rather, alcohol will prolong your stressful feelings, further aggravating your situation.
Myth #10: Stress Can Be Your Best Motivator
FACT: Many people think that they would not get anything done unless pushed by stress. They often confuse stress with motivation. The difference here is that one of them builds you up, while the other depletes you. Just think about your ability to function at your optimum potential when you are panic-stricken. Similarly think how better you could perform if there wasn't any ridiculous, self-imposed deadline. But it is difficult to step back from sturdy habits that have worked for you for all these years.
You can choose to build your motivation without falling prey to procrastination stress, by remembering vividly the purpose and value of your task, as well as the peace and contentment that follows after it. By focusing on growth and accomplishment (rather than dwelling on fear of failure) can boost your self-confidence and accomplishment.