Stress is naturally found everywhere. Whether it be caused by work, family, or relationship problems, stress is present in our everyday lives. What exactly is stress? Stress means tension, it’s our bodies natural response to events which aren’t supposed to be happening – or in simple terms, challenges.
You’re up at 3 AM trying to finish your academics or work due in a few hours? Stress. Need to present your paper in front of an audience and still feel like you’re unprepared? That’s also stress. Stress can be both physical and mental. They can also be separated into two types: acute and chronic stress.
Work overload can lead to unhealthy stress levels
Acute stress is short-term stress which are usually caused by events or sudden changes in environment. The pressure from this occurrence causes stress to a person. This is the more common type of stress and can usually be solved within a short time.
However, if not treated, acute stress could lead to long-term, chronic stress. Chronic stress is much more harmful than acute stress. It is stress that has built up overtime and has caused visible damage to the human body. Chronic stress is much harder to treat than acute stress.
Lots of studies have already shown that stress found in unhealthy amounts results in a lot of harmful effects on both the mind and body. Listed below are some of the harmful effects of stress:
And in chronic cases:
There are many more effects and behaviors caused by stress, and as time goes on – it gets worse. What seems like a minor thing at the start gets bigger and bigger before you realize it.
Sleep Withdrawal is one of the effects of harmful stress levels | Photo Courtesy of Brunswick Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Depending on how you manage it, stress could be either beneficial or harmful to you. When managed properly, you could use stress to your advantage. We’ve stated before that stress is a response to a challenge – it is an indicator or reminder to quickly respond to something unusual happening. Sometimes, stress could even be used as a motivation.
There are many ways to counter stress, including:
Exercise has been proven to greatly help a person’s body, both physically and mentally. Having a strong mindset allows you to make wiser decisions and better reflexes. Aerobic exercises are especially helpful in serving as a stress-reliever.
Exercise as a Daily Routine
The sound body is the product of a sound mind. Meditation allows you to break free from the chains of your own thoughts. Most unhealthy stress levels are caused emotionally and mentally, being able to have a calmer mind will allow you to organize your thoughts more clearly and act accordingly.
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Meditation allows one’s mind to be more stable | Photo Courtesy of Very Well Said
Knowing yourself and the factors that cause you stress is what enables you to be more prepared. One of the most common sources of stress are expectations from others. As humans, we have our own limitations. Nobody’s perfect, just do the best that you can without minding anyone else, and you’ll be stress free at home and outside!
There are numerous other relaxation techniques which can allow you to free your mind other than those mentioned above. Some notable examples are music and art therapy, aromatherapy, biofeedback, and much more!
Music Therapy is one of the most common and popular relaxation technique | Unsplash
A healthy mind is incomplete without a healthy body. Always take proper care of your body, make sure to have a healthy and balanced diet. Do NOT practice stress-eating. Although this could be beneficial in the heat of the moment, stress eating could develop into a habit that is harmful to your body.
Your meals are an essential part in maintaining a healthy, stress-free lifestyle | Photo Courtesy of Abbott
There are several other methods to counter stress, as everyone has their own circumstances and preferences. All of them have one thing in common though: it’s being done consistently. To ensure that an individual can perform these tasks, most homes have what is called a de-stress zone.
Prevention is always better than cure. It is necessary to counter and relieve your stress everyday to keep your stress levels at a healthy level. A de-stress zone is basically a specific place you designate as a spot for performing different stress management techniques. It could be anything – book reading, painting, greenery, whatever brings down your stress levels.
Although it is possible to perform stress relief activities without designating a specific place for it, having a de-stress zone gives you a clear goal in mind to be achieved. As compared to not having a de-stress zone, stress relief and management becomes more of a task and obligation to be done within the day, rather than something you only do when you feel like it.
A De-stress zone focused on nature | Photo Courtesy of Houzz
Additionally, a de-stress zone also serves as a comfort place. Even the mere thought of your de-stress zone could already be a somewhat stress-relief for some. De-stress zones at home are important, especially during this pandemic wherein we spend most of our time indoors. Studies have also shown an increase of lack in productivity during this pandemic, which makes it even more important to set up a de-stress zone at your homes.
The most important factor of a de-stress zone is YOU. Before starting your plan on how to be stress-free at home, know what you find comforting and serves as a good stress-relief. Everything you do will revolve around this point.
Having order in your personal areas gives a good and calming sensation to your mind. Keeping everything organized and in place is much more pleasing to the eyes and to the mind as well. Removing any distracting objects from your view allows you to focus more on the task at hand.
Sometimes it’s more calming to leave everything up to your body – more specifically your senses. Soothing sights and refreshing aromas can please the mind, leading it to a more relaxed state. Sensory objects also could be a great way to stimulate your senses.
“Plant therapy isn’t just a buzz-word—it’s a real thing,” says Mélanie Berliet, general manager the lifestyle, home, and food site, The Spruce.
Nature has always been commonly associated with peace and relaxation. Having greenery in your area gives you much more air to breathe in, enabling you to be more stress-free at home without the need to go outside. Relating to nature gives off an odd yet comforting feeling of being one with your roots.
Suggested Read: Why You Should Consider Living Close To Nature
Having your own space gives you a feeling of security and safety. When having an area all to yourself, you’re able to express all your emotions without holding back.
Want to expand your de-stress area to more than just a place in your home. Look no further than at Portofino. Portofino is an award-winning luxury home and real-estate developer in Vista Alabang. Offering only the best and most luxurious homes, Portofino ensures that you’ll be stress-free at home and outside!
The stress-free environment at Portofino | Photo Courtesy of Brittany
The calming vibe inside the luxury subdivision makes you forget that you’re in the bustling city of Alabang. From the Italian architecture of the houses up to the interior of each model house – everything is suited for you to be stress-free at home. There is always space you can allot for setting up your de-stress zones here in the houses of Portofino.
The wide space inside the Brittany Model House, Ghiberti – a perfect place for a de-stress zone | Photo Courtesy of Brittany
The amenities offered also serves as good stress relief; you won’t just be stress-free at home, but also outside! You won’t ever run out of activities to do here at Portofino.
Take a dip at Portofino’s vast number of pools – choose between the Olympic sized pool, kiddie and therapeutic pool, or lifestyle pool. Feel like making a sweat?
Head to the Indoor Fitness Gym at Portofino South. Want to just sit back, relax, and take a break? Grab a drink and relax at the Sun Deck with Lounge Chairs. At Portofino, your safety and happiness are always assured.
The Community at Portofino
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