Don't stare at me ! - just relax !!

How stressed are you ?  - what is your immediate reaction on seeing this picture.  புலி வருது !!  புயல் வருது !!  To me, the majestic Tiger looks too calm and relaxed, knowing thyself and not under any stress !! 

 

                                  Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened.  It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don't feel we can manage or control. (Do you feel you have too many of them ! – in fact most of us have !)  Stress is a  state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. Stress is a natural reaction to specific demands and events, but ongoing stress can affect a person’s health and wellbeing.   

These demands can come from work, relationships, financial pressures, and other situations, but anything that poses a real or perceived challenge or threat to a person’s well-being can cause stress. Stress can be a motivator!  and it can even be essential to survival!! . The body’s fight-or-flight mechanism tells a person when and how to respond to danger. However, when the body becomes triggered too easily, or there are too many stressors at one time, it can undermine a person’s mental and physical health and become harmful.  

The key to success is staying relaxed – be it a Sunday morning or an hour before the exams !  The stress response is characterized by a hyper-metabolic state. This response involves increases in brain wave activities, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing and often involves racing thoughts and a sense of uneasiness.    

Mental health which is most important  is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right,  crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes. 

Be mindful of yourself and the surroundings and the threats that could be around. Mindfulness is an opportunity to go within, be in your body and to be Present. Even a short mindfulness practice can have lasting effects throughout the day and can increase the ability to focus, reduce stress and calm an overthinking mind.  

Just stepping away from something stressful for a few minutes or taking time away from your normal routines and thoughts can give you enough space and distance to feel calmer. Read a book or a magazine, or see Vadivelu comedy clips  even if it's only for a few minutes.  Take a cold water  a bath, watch a video of a Cricket match, talk to people, play with a pet or try out a new recipe.  There are a variety of techniques used to improve relaxation. Controlled breathing, visualization, body scans, concentrating on a mantra (repeating of a word or phrase), and progressive muscle relaxation are techniques often used to enhance relaxation.  

To put it simple, when you see a picture just see and enjoy it – if you have time, do read and enjoy the post too.

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
3.12.2023