Stress as a tool: How it is beneficial for you?
When someone says, "I’m stressed," they often mean they're feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands—whether it’s a looming deadline at work or the challenges of managing a household. Sress is synonymous with the pressure you feel in daily life, and it’s easy to think of stress as something purely negative. But stress isn’t always bad. In fact, it plays a crucial role in our survival and well-being.
Let’s first understand what stress really is.
Stress in Physics: The Starting Point
In physics, stress refers to the pressure or force exerted on an object. Imagine you have a rubber band, and you pull on it. The force you’re using to stretch the rubber band creates stress inside it. If you pull too hard, the rubber band might snap. This is a simple way to think about how stress works physically—it’s the force that causes change or deformation.
But how did this concept from physics make its way into discussions about mental health?
The Evolution of the term "Stress"
The term "stress" was first brought into the realm of biology and mental health by Hans Selye, a pioneering endocrinologist. Selye described stress as the body’s nonspecific response to any demand or challenge placed on it. Whether it’s a physical threat, like a predator, or a psychological challenge, like a work deadline, your body responds in a similar way.
The Positive Side of Stress: How It Can Help Us
Stress, when experienced in moderation, can actually be beneficial. When you encounter a stressful situation, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones if released in correct amount sharpen your focus and prepare you for action—whether that means meeting a deadline, performing in a competition, or avoiding danger. It’s like a boxer taking a few punches during practice to prepare for the final match.
In everyday life, this kind of "good" stress can motivate you to perform better, enhance your focus, and even improve your physical health.
Yoga for Stress
In the practice of yoga, stress is intentionally induced through various asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing techniques) to promote physical and mental well-being. For example, when you hold a yoga pose for an optimal amount of time, you are inducing a controlled amount of stress in your body. This triggers the release of stress hormones in a way that can strengthen your body, improve flexibility, and enhance mental focus.
Kapalbhati, where rapid breathing is required induces brief periods of stress on the body. This controlled stress can help release hormones in moderate amounts, which are beneficial for digestion & alleviated lethargy
There’s also a global trend known as ice baths, where the body is exposed to cold temperatures for a short period, inducing stress. This practice has been shown to help alleviate certain diseases, improve muscle recovery, and boost overall health.
Conclusion:
There are specific practices in yoga that help induce just the right amount of stress to keep you healthy. By practicing yoga regularly, you can harness these techniques to maintain balance and well-being.
