Discussion

Part: 1

I was under a lot of stress at work during a challenging task that also happened to coincide with
personal struggles. A perfect storm was generated by the pressure to handle personal concerns
and achieve deadlines. On a physical level, I was experiencing a notable decrease in energy,
regular headaches, and tense muscles. I was mentally unable to concentrate and was always
feeling overwhelmed. There was a mixture of emotions, including frustration and anxiousness. I
could feel the effect on my day-to-day existence. My eating and sleeping patterns deteriorated,
with me alternating between skipping meals and overindulging in comfort food. I used regular
exercise as a stress-relieving outlet and a coping mechanism. I shared my struggles with close
friends and family in an attempt to get assistance. Their assistance and the expert advice of a
counselor were crucial in assisting me in getting through the challenges and regaining my
equilibrium.

Part: 2

Reflecting on the readings and videos, it became clear that stress has a negative influence on
one's health. Numerous health concerns, such as compromised immune systems, mental health
difficulties, and cardiovascular issues have all been related to stress (O'Connor et al., 2021).
Even with this understanding, I believe that many people may not understand the impact that
stress has on their well-being because day-to-day living frequently necessitates ongoing coping
and adapting (O'Connor et al., 2021).

Social networks are known to be effective stress reducers. The conditions and the individual can
affect how effective it is. Having a network of support during stressful times can offer emotional
empathy, useful assistance, and a feeling of community. Nonetheless, perceptions of the value of
social support might vary depending on the person and the type of stressor (Wolfers & Utz,
2022).

I believe Progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation are the two most successful
methods of stress reduction (Izgu et al., 2020). Because mindfulness encourages people to be in
the present, it lessens their tendency to worry about the future or think back on the past.
Progressive muscle relaxation, on the other hand, promotes both physical and mental calm by
methodically stretching and then relaxing various muscle groups. Regular practice of both
techniques promotes a calm and centered state of mind, which helps reduce stress and makes
them useful tools for handling many types of stressors (Izgu et al., 2020).

References:
Izgu, N., Gok Metin, Z., Karadas, C., Ozdemir, L., Metinarikan, N., & Corapcıoglu, D. (2020).
Progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation on neuropathic pain, fatigue,
and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 52(5), 476-487.
O'Connor, D. B., Thayer, J. F., & Vedhara, K. (2021). Stress and health: A review of
psychobiological processes. Annual review of psychology, 72, 663-688.
Wolfers, L. N., & Utz, S. (2022). Social media use, stress, and coping. Current Opinion in
Psychology, 45, 101305.