These days, stress has become a part of daily life. The Hungarian-Canadian scientist Hans Selye was the first to use the word stress in 1927. Through research, he discovered that a response to a brain stressor causes muscle and skin tension. Until this stressor is not removed, the tension in the muscle remains. This causes exhaustion and depression, which turn into more complex diseases over time.
Usually, people drink coffee, tea, chocolate, or cola to reduce stress. These are drugs that act rapidly. They reduce the body’s resistance to stress. Caffeine intake produces chemicals in the body that reduce the sensitivity of the neurons. As a result, the person has a false feeling of reduction in tension. In fact, the stressor remains, but the body’s sensitivity is reduced. The body adapts to the new state, forcing the person to consume more coffee, tea, cola, etc., to reduce stress. Without these, the body perceives the entire stress and is unable to cope with it. Hence, we should reduce the consumption of such substances.
People who are addicted to such substances should not suddenly stop their consumption. This results in migraine and severe headaches. Instead, the best way is to reduce the consumption by a cup and, over time, reduce it completely.
Laughter is nature’s best medicine. Laughing freely is the best medicine for stress. Welcome every morning by smiling at yourself in the mirror. You will feel energetic and fresh the entire day. Laughter is free. Exchange smiles in abundance with people around you.
Californian doctor Lee S Berk says that laughter is the natural treatment method. Laughing activates the immune system. This increase” body’s antibodies, destroying 19 and tumors. Laughter is also the exercise for the heart. It increases the T-cell count. This increases the quantity of antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA), which protects us from respiratory infections.
Laughter also reduces the level of stress-causing hormones. A peal of hearty laughter is also an excellent exercise for the facial and neck muscles. In his hectic lifestyle, everyone tries to use one’s abilities to the fullest. Due to this increased body movement, lactic acid is created. When the quantity of lactic acid increases, the person feels exhausted.
Dr. Robbins Else of the University of Portsmouth says that Interleukin 6 (IL6) is released in the body in response to overactivity. This signals the brain to slow down. The muscles cannot work anymore. After a long day of work, the level of IL6 can increase by up to 60 -100 times the usual values. Then the person feels the need to rest. Sleep rejuvenates the body and is the easiest method to reduce stress. Seven hours of sleep gives the energy to work again.
New research suggests that a little rest goes a long way in keeping the body and mind fresh in the middle of hectic activity. A rest of about 5- 20 minutes has been shown to give magical results. This short nap acts like a breath of fresh air, rejuvenating our body and mind.
The cruel dictator Hitler wanted to become a painter but failed to clear the entrance examination. His creative energies flowed in a different direction, and the disastrous results are well known. We all have immense energy potential. All that is needed is the right way to harness that energy.
We can stay away from tension by pursuing hobbies like gardening, reading books, swimming, listening to music, painting, etc. Researcher Debora Denner reviewed the diaries of 170 young nuns and tried to correlate their empathy and positivity with their health. Those nuns that had used more words indicating happiness and gratitude during their daily life lived ten years longer than other nuns who had a negative attitude.
Thus, we can avoid stress and lead a happier life through laughter, sleep, and creative habits.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2023 Jan-Feb
