Stress management: A need of today

By: Shaurya Sharma

Mental health has become a serious concern in today’s time, significantly affecting the daily lives of individuals. In ancient times, the concept of mental illness was non-existent, as people led peaceful and relaxed lives. However, today, this problem has overshadowed almost all other issues in our lives. One major cause of this problem is stress. Our hectic lifestyles and the ambition to achieve more often lead us to neglect our emotional and mental well-being, which is essential for a healthy life. Our constant drive for success has made us so focused that we tend to fill all our free time with work, leaving little room for rest and relaxation.

It’s not that we shouldn’t be focused or dedicated to our work, but rather we need to lead a well-balanced life, taking care of both physical and mental health. Due to increasing competition and constant peer pressure, we find ourselves in a rat race where our only goal is to achieve the number one rank, regardless of the consequences. As a result of this constant struggle, we begin to suffer from stress, anxiety, nervousness, and depression. Stress is the root cause of these problems; it leads to overthinking, dissatisfaction, and an inability to relax. The constant workload and the drive to do more leave us stressed throughout the day, causing us to forget about our personal lives completely. It’s crucial to remember that everything should be done in moderation; excessive stress can negatively impact both our personal and professional lives, shattering our dreams.

Apart from our hectic lives, electronics and social media are also major contributors to stress and mental health issues. In the past, people used to spend time with their loved ones during their free time. However, today, people are so engrossed in social media that they hardly interact with real people, spending most of their time on their phones. This constant engagement with electronics prevents our minds from getting the rest they need. Social media inundates us with irrelevant and often absurd information that does not enhance our knowledge but instead fills our minds with nonsense. For example, social media glorifies the success stories of individuals, repeatedly showcasing the achievements of highly successful people. This motivates people to aspire to be like them, making them feel inadequate about their own lives. Consequently, they become trapped in a vicious cycle, working harder and harder in all aspects of life. It’s essential to understand that it’s okay to admire someone and strive to be like them, but not everyone can reach the top. While the goal should be to achieve success, it’s crucial not to get overly stressed and overwhelmed with work, which can drain our energy.

To manage stress, it’s important to recognise that stress is a part of human nature, and to some extent, it’s necessary to keep us focused and clear. Complete eradication of stress from our lives is impossible, but managing excessive stress is attainable. Here are some steps to manage stress in our daily lives:

1. Don’t overthink: Overthinking is a major cause of stress. We often dwell on situations that are beyond our control, constantly thinking about how things happened. Instead, we should focus on things that we can control and avoid stressing about what has already occurred.
2. Prioritise your work: Create a checklist of your tasks and prioritise them. With our busy lives, it’s essential to identify which tasks require immediate attention and which can be postponed. This approach can help ease your schedule.
3. Time management: Effective time management is a valuable tool for accomplishing tasks efficiently. Decide in advance how much time you need to allocate to your work, considering which tasks require more time and effort and which can be completed more easily. This strategy allows you to manage your personal and professional life more effectively.
4. Avoid comparisons: Comparing yourself to others can lead to unhappiness. Understand that it’s impossible to achieve everything in life, and there will always be someone who is better off. Be content with what you have.
5. Make time for your personal life: It’s crucial to have a life beyond work. Spend time with your family, engage in physical activities, hang out with friends, or simply relax and meditate. These activities not only relieve stress but also provide your mind with a break from endless work.
6. Ensure proper sleep: Regardless of how busy your day is, never compromise on your sleep. Insomnia can lead to various health problems, including depression and irritability. Aim for at least 6 to 7 hours of sleep each night to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In conclusion, we have only one life, and nothing is worth sacrificing our mental peace for. Our health is in our hands, and it’s high time we start taking care of it.