STRESS & ANXIETY
Our modern life is characterised by stress and anxiety. Besides the COVID crisis, which is affecting us all, stress and anxiety are often caused by deadlines, difficult work situations, financial difficulties, or a feeling of inadequacy or insecurity.
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According to the World Health Organization, stress, especially that relating to work, is the second most frequent health problem, impacting one-third of employed people in the European Union.
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According to American Psychological Association (APA):
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both stress and anxiety are emotional responses, but stress is typically caused by an external trigger.
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The stress trigger can be short-term, such as a work deadline or a fight with a loved one. It can include being stuck in traffic or having a loved one not answering your calls or messages.
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In every case, stress results in a feeling that you are not in control of a situation, and therefore causes feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
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Anxiety is defined as worries and negative thoughts that occur even in the absence of a stressor. Anxiety is often a long-term condition, and can be reinforced in a negative feedback cycle by recurring stress, and recurring negative self-emotion and self-validation.
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The physiological impacts of stress and anxiety are clearly documented by medical research and may include:
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Insomnia
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Difficulty concentrating
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Fatigue
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Muscle tension
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Irritability
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High blood pressure.
Perhaps the most pernicious effects of stress and anxiety are those that cannot be measured: poor judgement, bad decisions, broken relationships and a persistent feeling of negative self-image and self-worth.
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The APA suggests the following coping mechanisms when dealing with mild stress and mild anxiety:
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Physical activity
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A nutritious and varied diet
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Good sleep hygiene
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Muscles relaxation
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Meditation
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Taking a moment in nature
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Supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, ashwagandha or Valerian root
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Reduction of caffeine intake
We believe that in addition to treating symptoms, it’s important to treat the causes of stress and anxiety. This may require counselling, and will almost certainly require important lifestyle changes such as:
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Changing or re-defining your job;
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Ending or changing a relationship with a loved one;
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Understanding what you are truly seeking in your life, career, interests and relationships.
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At Debene, we carry Ansiwell Fast and Ansiwell Voyage, two food supplements designed to work against the symptoms of stress and anxiety. These are based on L-Theanine, an amino acid that occurs naturally in tea and induces a feeling of natural relaxation and mental alertness. They also include magnesium and vitamin C.
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Food supplements are no substitute for the deep root cause analysis and lifestyle changes that you need to make if stress and anxiety are recurring conditions in your life.
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We believe that foundations of combatting stress and anxiety include a balanced diet, healthy sleeping patterns, regular physical exercise and a supportive web of relationships and friendships.
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It is also important to reflect that stress and anxiety may be due to being in a certain stage in your life. For example, being fired from your job, or recovering from a divorce. It is important not to let events such as this define you: your life and the value you create are infinitely greater than one job, or one marriage.
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Sources
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American Psychological Association. Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors
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Healthline. Stress and Anxiety
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