Modern-Day Stress

Stress is a significant part of modern life, impacting the lives of many with its devastating effects. Stress is a massive issue in our lives and damages our health and well-being if we leave it unattended. There are major contributors to everyday stress. It's almost unnatural not to be stressed. With all of our obligations and responsibilities, from raising children, paying rent, and working full-time jobs, all while balancing a social life and pursuing our own interests. We are an overproductive species who've put too much on our plate. 

We feel run down and overwhelmed, like we don't have enough time for relaxation and downtime. This production mentality even carries over into our exercise. Have you ever noticed the people outside for a stroll who look stressed even while doing that? They walk quickly, as if in a hurry, and are on a phone call when the purpose is to de-stress. That is the opposite of relaxation. The stress we feel can literally freeze us in habitual routines and keep us stuck in constant exertion. Even in pursuing something we want, we find it stressful because it is hard to balance these two worlds that seemingly conflict with one another; the world that demands from us and the world we want to create for ourselves. 

Today, it seems that being calm is out of reach and an ideal that isn't realistic. In a culture that is thinking-oriented, we prioritize the intellect and its ability to solve problems. When we feel stressed, we try to solve it with more work. We try to work ourselves out of stress, which proves to be a toxic cycle that is ultimately ineffective. We need to make time for peace, even if for an hour a day.

  A majority of stress in modern life is attributed to comparison culture. Most people nowadays are living their lives on social media. Substituting reality for a virtual one, brainwashed into believing Instagram is the real thing. When you are out in public, scan the environment and see how many people are disengaged from reality, locked in on their screens, not even paying attention to the person directly in front of them. What you see is not all that real on Instagram. Remember, you only see the side of a person they allow you to see on social media. We compare our achievements to our friends or co-workers, and we will never win when we do this because someone will always look happier and more successful than you. If you think life is measured on material success and is a race, then there will always be someone outperforming you. Start to measure happiness on your terms. Evaluate the quality of your living based on how you feel and what you value, not what social media influencers tell you. 

There is an important distinction to be made between good and bad stress. Eustress is good stress. It is when we are exercising or challenging our brain by learning something new. Starting your own business, learning Spanish, and rock climbing are all examples of eustress. Bad stress makes your blood pressure go up; worrying, dreading the future, overworking yourself at your job, and ruminating thoughts. We're always in a hurry, feeling like we have to get things done. This type of stress is detrimental to our health in the long run if we don't learn how to get it under control and relate to the busyness of our lives differently. 

Things that help to cope with stressful periods are yoga, meditation, going outside/getting sunlight, reading a book, a cold shower, and breathing exercises. Journaling is also a great tool to distance yourself from the noise in your life and gain perspective. Even substituting television at night for a book is a good way to de-stress. Take inventory during your days. What causes the stress? How do you feel when you are in a stressful environment? What are you doing? Who are you with? Can you distance yourself from this? Are you engaging in workplace drama? Is there a conflict you are hesitant to face? The main ingredient and most effective way to reduce stress is to move your body, quiet the mind, and step away from the screens, whether it's the phone, laptop, or television. Most people have at least a 15-30 minute break at work to do this. And when you get home, there has to be some downtime, even if not a lot, to connect with your body, breathe, and disconnect from the hum and buzz of the external world.

  There is a vast array of distractions that consume our energy every day. We are addicted to our phones and televisions; we're concerned with the latest fashion trends and the scoop on our favorite celebs. These endless sources of distraction contribute to our tireless search for pleasure and meaning. We search for what we lack in meaning outside of us in our devices, reality TV, and politics. In the long run, we are creating a bad habit of becoming dependent on these sources for entertainment and empty pleasure. Receiving too much dopamine without doing anything that requires effort or focus makes a person lazy, unmotivated, and tired. I can go into a whole discussion about the epidemic of doomscrolling, but we'll save that for another day. 

Sometimes, the stuff we hear about on the news can contribute to our stress. When this becomes the case, we can feel helpless because we wish we could do something to change the world or a situation. When we feel helpless with events happening near or far, the best thing we can do is return to ourselves. Do what you can with the resources that are available to you. Focus on what you can control. What is in your immediate environment that you have control over now? A good way to ground yourself is to recognize what is in your conscious control, become aware of it, and act on it the best way you can. 

A final call to action is to return to simplicity, even though that is sometimes the hardest thing to do. In a technologically advanced society, that is far from simple. We are cut off from nature more now than ever. To return to simplicity, the best thing you can do is put the phone on do not disturb, hug a tree, and put your bare feet in the grass. You'll feel a whole lot better. Another way to cope with stress is to engage with a trusted friend if you have one available. Vent to each other, give each other space to share your stories and support one another. After all, we are only human, and living in an ever-changing world in constant flux is difficult to navigate. It requires much patience and courage. Remember, in our stressful, busy world, things are always changing, and no feeling or situation is final.