Billions of people around the world suffer from chronic stress. The increasing number of external stimuli, city life, work stress and pandemic have a great impact on this.
Failure to control stress can lead to bigger problems. Therefore, it is necessary to apply methods of coping with stress as soon as possible. In recent years, meditation practices are frequently preferred to eliminate stress.
So, is it possible to relieve stress with meditation?
What is stress?
Stress is a tense process that occurs due to the inability of the person to cope with any perceived threat physically and emotionally and that often negatively affects his or her daily life.
What Are the Symptoms of Stress?
Stress is your body's way of responding to any demand or threat. When you perceive danger, your body's defense mechanism—fight or flight—responds and becomes stressed. The most dangerous thing about stress is that it comes easily. Sometimes your body gets used to stress and accepts its effects.
Cognitive symptoms
Memory problems, inability to concentrate, anxious thoughts
Physical symptoms
Aches, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain
Emotional symptoms
Depression, anxiety, irritable mood, loneliness, and isolation
Behavioral symptoms
Nutritional problems, sleep problems, being away from people, delaying responsibilities, starting alcohol or smoking
What are the Causes of Stress?
It is significant to identify the causes to cope with stress. Meditation does not eliminate stress; feeling stressed is a part of life. Yet meditation helps us come to terms with stress and regulate our relationship to them, even if the stressors in our life remain the same.
External causes
Major changes in life, difficulties in relationships, financial problems, working too hard
Internal causes
Pessimism, inability to accept uncertainty, negative self-talk, perfectionism
Benefits of Meditation in Stress Management
The benefits of meditation in stress management have been scientifically proven by many institutions. Even a short-term practice can relieve stress. Preferring meditation for stress management is easy as well as this practice shows its effect in a short time.
Meditation relieves stress by triggering the body's relaxation response.
It helps the body repair itself by calming it down and prevents the physical effects of stress.
It calms the mind and body by quieting the negative thoughts caused by stress in the mind.
There is an element of direct physical relaxation in meditation.
