(Muhammad Akmal Farooq Advocate, Sargodha)
While we live the day to day, there is always something on our minds that worries us. Most researchers claim that persistent stress can be truly damaging but that is not always true because a little amount of stress actually improves our performance. For instance, in sports a little pressure helps to improve the performance of the player. And many successful people owe their success to this very pressure too. However, continuous amount of stress can be a problem. 50 to 80 percent of the illnesses can be attributed to this mental stress which lowers our immunity against diseases. Higher stress levels lead to a wound not healing quickly and not only adults but children also feel stress too which makes them more prone to being injured.
The most significant diseases caused by stress: Heart diseases, Cancer, pain in the joints, asthma, stomach related problems, jaundice, ulcer, high blood pressure, depression, headache, suspicion, seizures and hallucinations, sugar, backache, sleeplessness, gas, weight loss, some skin illnesses, increase in cholesterol, fear without reason before mensuration, allergy, exhaustion and muscle pain etc.
Symptoms: People who are stressed are often absent minded. They may get in an accident while walking or driving. They may get lost and forget their route too. Under stress, a person's memory decreases and his concentration and focus is negatively affected too. Appetite lessens too, the person angers quickly, clenches fists and bites nails. The person under stress also suffers from indigestion and his metabolism decreases. Along with this headache, backaches and exhaustion continue to plague the person. Heartbeat quickens too and urine is passed a lot many times. Sex life is also affected. The person feels sad, bored and dejected. Life lacks purpose and suicide seems plausible. Nervousness becomes more pronounced and the complexion becomes yellowed too. Suspicion and fears are rampant too. Decision making power decreases too and smokers start to smoke more too.
The most significant reason for mental stress:
Failure, insecurities, irritation, mental distress, Failure in love, disrespectful behavior, dejection, feeling of guiltiness, death of a loved one, sadness, loneliness, sleeplessness, religious extremism, employment and financial pressures, fights in the family, academic pressures of children, dissatisfaction in sex life and pressure from in laws. Along with this natural disasters, uncomfortable weather conditions, decreased income and security threats etc.
Solutions for mental stress: Some people look for solace to mental pressures in drugs, medicines and alcohol. But all of these are detrimental to health. The following should be considered to counter stress:
More Use of the following: