A feeling almost anybody can relate to and is in an incomprehensible way almost normalized in today’s society is stress. Every day, we find ourselves facing many challenges on both personal and professional level which can build up to a feeling of stress or anxiety. The work keeps piling up and we’re finding ourselves to struggle more and more to get things done. If you’re experiencing feelings of stress, it’s important to take them seriously as stress can have a big negative impact on your mind and body. In this blog, we will learn you about how stress can be controlled by training your brain. 

Signs of being stressed

First of all, we’re diving into the signs of being stressed, as many people don’t seem to realise that they’re not just feeling a bit overwhelmed, they are severely stressed out. Symptoms may vary for each person, but generally speaking stress can be recognized by these signs:

• Energy level is low
• Headaches
• Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Constant worrying
• Inability to focus
• Easily agitated

This is only a selection of the most common symptoms, but your body and mind can react to stress in many different ways. Sometimes, physical symptoms are absent but a person might experience emotional drainage or a low self esteem. It’s important to recognise symptoms and take them seriously, before it begins to seriously impact your life and challenge your mental health. 

What happens in your brain when you’re stressed?

Stress is essentially a chain reaction happening inside your body and in particular, in your brain. When you’re experiencing something that causes you stress, an area of the brain that contributes to emotional processing, will send a distress signal to the hypothalamus. If that doesn’t ring a bell immediately, the hypothalamus is the area of your brain that functions like a command center. It communicates with the rest of your body through the nervous system. This will create a so-called “fight-or-flight” response which creates the physical reactions most people have to stress, such as an increased heart rate or heavy breathing. 

How do you control feelings of stress?

When you are coping with high stress levels, it’s important to take control on your thoughts, actions and body. Before starting on anything else, identify what gives you stress. Are you overloaded at work because you can’t say no to your colleagues? Or are you stressed because you’re dealing with personal problems? Once you’ve idenfitied the problem, you can take conscious actions to lower your stress and feel more at peace. Mindfulness is a topic that has become radically more popular over the past decade as mental health is getting spoken more openly about. Meditation is a great way to center your thoughts and keep your mind clear, especially during times of stress. Start the day off with a short meditation session or if you prefer, meditate for ten minutes before going to bed. Exercising in general and getting enough fresh air throughout the day can also help to control feelings of stress as they help to increase Serotonin levels. 

Aromatherapy for controlling stress

Another natural way to reduce stress is by using aromatherapy to trigger the limbic system of your brain. In this part of the brain, our behavioural and emotional responses to feelings, including stress, are being regulated. The DE-STRESS Aromatherapy Balm is a soothing blend that promotes relaxation, calmness, and relief from stress. Take a moment of rest, apply the aromatherapy balm on your neck, wrists or temples and deeply inhale the scent while visualing the desired mind state. Slowly but deeply exhale and you will notice a calming effect on your body and mind.