Stress: Effect on Your Body Image + Relaxing Activities for Staying Positive

Stress is a big problem nowadays. So, I want to bring more awareness about this topic and encourage everyone to focus on minimizing stress as much as possible by seeking more relaxing ways how to deal with it.

Photo credit: Icons8. Graphic created by Sedija Lejiete

What happens to our bodies when we encounter stressful situations?

So, it is a well-known fact that stress is our physiological response to situations that we perceive to be overwhelming and threatening. Same with the fact that everyone has different stress triggers. Speaking of body image, the possibilities of feeling stress because of it are very high... the amount of pressure we can get is sometimes unbelievable.

When stress is extreme or chronic it can often even contribute to the development of certain psychological disorders, involving post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and other serious psychiatric conditions.

Also, there are many types of research that have found that stress is one of the leading triggers of adapting poor body image in teens.

According to the research from The Australian National University, which was focused on the causes of dysfunctional body image and low self-esteem in young people - poor body image is one of the risk factors for mental health problems.

So, there is no question about if stress does affect how we act towards our body image, not even mentioning how it affects other areas of our life.

The bigger question is - How can you deal with it in a way that can potentially benefit your well-being in the long run?

RECOGNISE THE STRESS:

1. What causes it?

2. What can I do about it?

Use these questions to minimize stress at those moments when you have it.

Based on the second question, I will suggest a few relaxing and powerful activities for staying positive and having less stress:

• Breath-work meditation

• 5 Minute Meditation + Positive Affirmations (for those who are very busy)

• Put some relaxing music in the background while doing daily tasks

• Sit down, drink some tea and enjoy the moment or read a book

• Get creative (draw, cook, knit, etc.)

If you find this post helpful, make sure to press the "❤️" button and share it with others. In the comment section, write down what other activity (activities) would you do to reduce stress. I and others will be waiting for your answer! :)