Category: Guest Post

Strategies In Managing Stress In the Modern World

No one is untouched by the hands of stressors. Those who work are always under the pressure of deadlines, peer pressure, career advancement pressures, and whatnot. Students undergo academic pressure, parental expectations, competition and so much more. Women too need to balance a lot between their work and household responsibilities. In today’s fast-paced society, stress has become an ever-present and significant aspect of the modern world. As we navigate the complexities of contemporary life, we face a multitude of challenges that can trigger stress, such as job pressures, financial worries, social demands, and technology overload. While stress is a natural response designed to protect us, chronic and overwhelming stress can have adverse effects on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. To lead a healthier and more balanced life, it is crucial to delve deeper into the root causes of stress and adopt effective strategies in managing stress.
This blog post will explore the anatomy of stress, identify common stressors in the modern world, analyze the impact of chronic stress on health, provide practical techniques for stress management, discuss the importance of cultivating resilience, and emphasize the value of seeking professional help when needed.
The Anatomy of Stress
Before we delve into stress management techniques, it is essential to understand the biological and psychological underpinnings of stress. Stress is a complex response triggered by the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight situation. This response, while necessary in dangerous situations, can be counterproductive when faced with chronic stressors. The limbic system and the amygdala in the brain play a pivotal role in processing stress. Understanding the science behind stress helps us recognize its influence on our bodies and minds, making it easier to manage effectively.
Identifying Stressors in the Modern World
The modern world presents us with a plethora of stressors that can affect us physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is important to identify and acknowledge these stressors to address them effectively. Some common stressors in today’s society include:
a. Work-related stress:
The pressure to meet deadlines, achieve targets, and maintain a work-life balance can lead to burnout and increased stress levels.
b. Financial stress:
Economic instability, debt, and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle contribute to financial stress.
c. Social stress:
Social media and societal expectations can create feelings of inadequacy, leading to social stress and anxiety.
d. Technological stress:
Constant connectivity and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can leave us feeling anxious and mentally drained.
e. Environmental stress:
Issues like climate change and natural disasters add an extra layer of stress to our lives.
By understanding these stressors, we can take proactive steps to manage and mitigate their impact on our well-being.
The Impact of Chronic Stress on Health
Chronic stress can take a toll on both our physical and mental health. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can lead to a weakened immune system, digestive problems, cardiovascular issues, and even mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. The impact of stress on health should not be underestimated, as it can significantly decrease our quality of life and hinder our ability to function optimally. Recognizing the long-term consequences of stress motivates us to prioritize stress management.
Effective Strategies in Managing Stress
a. Mindfulness and Meditation:
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help us stay present and focused, reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, while meditation focuses on training the mind to redirect thoughts. It is one of the most practical strategies in managing stress and finding inner calm.
b. Physical Activity:
Engaging in regular exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural stress relievers, and can enhance mood and overall health. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or hitting the gym, physical activity is an excellent way to combat stress.
c. Time Management:
Organizing our time effectively and setting realistic goals can prevent feelings of being overwhelmed by responsibilities. Prioritizing tasks and breaking them down into manageable chunks can help reduce stress related to time constraints.
d. Social Support:
Building a support network of friends and family provides a buffer against stress and allows for open communication about our feelings. Sharing our experiences and seeking support from loved ones can significantly alleviate stress and be helpful in sharing Strategies in managing stress with others.
e. Limiting Technology Use:
Taking regular breaks from screens and setting boundaries for technology use can improve mental clarity and reduce stress. Disconnecting from digital devices can create space for relaxation and reduce the anxiety caused by constant connectivity.
f. Relaxation Techniques:
Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and engaging in hobbies that bring joy can help reduce stress levels. Relaxation techniques allow the body and mind to unwind and recharge.
g. Healthy Lifestyle:
Adopting a balanced diet, ensuring sufficient sleep, and avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption contribute to better stress management. A healthy lifestyle forms a solid foundation for managing stress effectively.
Cultivating Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and adapt positively to adversity. Cultivating resilience enables us to better cope with stress and embrace change. Techniques for building resilience include:
a. Fostering a Growth Mindset:
Embracing a growth mindset, which focuses on learning and growing from challenges, allows us to perceive setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures.
b. Maintaining Optimism:
Cultivating optimism enables us to maintain a positive outlook, even in difficult times. This positive mindset can help us find solutions to problems and build emotional strength.
c. Learning from Setbacks:
Viewing setbacks as learning experiences helps us develop problem-solving skills and emotional resilience. Embracing failures as stepping stones to success can transform how we perceive stress.
d. Seeking Meaning:
Finding meaning and purpose in challenging experiences can provide a sense of direction and help us navigate stressful situations with a greater sense of purpose and resolve.
Seeking Professional Help
While self-help techniques can be powerful, seeking professional help is essential for those experiencing chronic and debilitating stress in addition to the strategies in managing stress. Therapists, counselors, and support groups can offer valuable guidance and support in managing stress and addressing underlying issues. Professional assistance provides an outside perspective and specialized tools for managing stress effectively.
Wrapping up
Understanding and applying strategies in managing stress in the modern world is a multifaceted journey that requires self-awareness, perseverance, and a commitment to overall well-being. By recognizing the sources of stress, employing effective stress management techniques, and fostering resilience, we can protect our physical and mental health, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling life with reduced stress levels. Embracing a holistic approach that combines physical, emotional, and mental well-being allows us to navigate the challenges of the modern world and achieve a balanced and fulfilling existence. Remember, stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to dominate our existence; we have the power to take charge and live a life that embraces balance and well-being.
About the Author
This post, The Strategies in managing stress, is written by Jaishree Nenwani. She is the author of a self-help book “Tiny Habits Massive Results”. Based out of New Delhi, India Jaishree is an Author, blogger, and homepreneur. She is passionate about journaling and loves to share wisdom and journaling tools that invoke deeper authenticity and Personal transformation. She writes about Self-improvement, Personal growth, and ways to become happier in your life. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
This post is also a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023 and Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
Views expressed in this post are personal and for reading purpose only. They’re not medical advice. Each individual’s experience may vary. Please consult a professional if you need help.”

August 31, 2023
Why does the other child feel inferior?

Why this topic? Well, this topic has been right in front of our eyes and we still choose to ignore, not because we don’t care. However, as parents we always love all our kids equally. Yes, kids take a long time to realize this. Sometimes, a couple of years and other times even decades. We cannot blame them, they are just kids.

A person’s psychology tends to develop during their early childhood days. They rationalize every minute aspect and tend to overthink. This then turns into a habit resulting in many issues in the early and sometimes, even late adulthood. There are many incidents which parents don’t even bother to take a second look that creates a sense of inferiority and insecurity in children. This phenomenon has a compound effect on the kid’s mind, and they start to feel neglected, ignored and not-so-important.

The “other kid” is not necessarily the second child or the oldest one. The “other child” is the smarter, fiercer and stronger one who doesn’t require much parent’s help but requires their emotional support. So, obviously, parents tend to favour the weaker one who is more reliable, afraid and sometimes, even a slow learner. This lack of emotional support either makes the kid feel insecure or else teaches him/her the importance of self-reliance.

The other instance when a kid feels insecure is when his/her sibling is favoured more by parents and other family members. This makes the kid feel neglected and not important. However, there is no specific reason for favouritism. This favouritism results in the kid losing his/her self-esteem and develops an inferiority complex. Where, the kid feels like anything he/she does is not good enough and not worthy of praise. Although, this conditioning has a positive effect in the long term, where the kid does not expect anything from anyone and just keeps on working.

When your kid wins a medal for himself or the team, he/she is very excited to present it to you. An achievement that marks a milestone in their life. This milestone becomes a curse when the parents ignore their talk for any reason, perhaps, the workload is too much, some sad news is received or there is just mental and/or physical exhaustion. When a child’s talks are ignored, it gives them a minute feeling of being unimportant in the parents’ life, which is not at all true. The only important thing in a parent’s life is their children. However, kids are too young to understand it. So, they develop a habit of keeping things to themselves; be it their achievement or something that is bothering them. They often fail to share and turn to their best friends, who are of generally of the same age. This makes them trust their best friends more than their parents.

The next instance can be explained better with the help of a hypothetical situation: You went out for shopping with your family to purchase their festive clothing. Two children and both need to purchase a couple of pairs for the 3-day long festival. The first kid looks spectacular in everything he/she tries. So, you decide to buy more than required. However, the collection is limited for the second kid and you end up buying one pair less than decided. The second kid doesn’t understand that parents won’t allow their kid to wear something that doesn’t suit them or is currently out of fashion. These minute details are not observed by kids that the clothes won’t suit them or it better to buy good clothes. All they observe is the thing in front of them: My parents bought more pair of clothes for my sibling. This incident plants a seed of inferior being in their mind and the rest start to germinate them, before the kids or parents realize, the seed has already grown into a tree.

Although there are some positive after effects of feeling inferior, kids tend to be self-reliant from a young age. They often tend to grow mentally at an early age. Maturity hits soon and the concept of parents is just another relationship they must take care of. In fact, kids love to take care of. A wildfire ensues in the “other kid” that either makes them passionate or turns into a rebel. For both the characteristics somewhere, parents are responsible. So, take a note yourself as a parent and try to work it out. Being a parent is not always about getting things for your kids, sometimes, it also requires sitting and listen.

Author Bio: EZ Life is an online shop in India. EZ life deals in contemporary goods like double wall glasses, fancy home décor, travel essentials and baby products that make it a ‘one-stop shop’ for the entire family.

March 12, 2019
Pregnancy and Mother-in-law- Quirkiness in Tradition – Guest post by Payel Chowdhury.

It’s been a while since I have posted anything in the pregnancy and parenting category. I wanted to write lots about the morning sickness which surprisingly I did not have. Hence I chucked it. Recently I came across this article where there is this relatable experience with morning sickness and the notion of embarrassment attached to it . Payel Roy Chowdhury provided me the honour of publishing her interesting article on her experience with morning sickness. So here we go.

PREGNANCY AND MOTHER-IN-LAW

Have any of you ladies of this remarkable and progressive century ever been cold shouldered by an all- knowing mother –in-law for being too frank with your husband? For ‘shamelessly’ hanging around your husband during pregnancy, openly discussing nausea and other such uneasiness with your husband, and, in fact, not even hesitating to throw up during the early months, and seek his help to comfort yourself? If you disbelieve me, I shall be extremely happy for that, for, it means you have not witnessed such idiosyncrasies in your life. The unfortunate ones like me have by now got the drift of what I am saying.
Nausea, or morning sickness as it is termed as, is an unavoidable part of pregnancy. The changes that occur in the body are immense. The whole body and mind of a woman prepares itself for the housing the creation, to allow it to grow from an embryo to a fetus and then into a baby, day by day, week by week, month by month, in those 280 days till it is delivered. The entire mechanism is unique, and the formula of this creation doesn’t change, like a patented design.
I still recall those exciting times when periods missed by even a day gave rise to flutters and anticipation in me and husband. Each hour mattered then, periods not showing up each hour assured us of good news, increasing the anticipation. ‘Not yet’ were the most welcome words then. As three – four days passed away, we felt joyous. God’s grace was upon us. During that time, I was a Lecturer in an engineering college in Orissa where my husband was posted. It was January 2005 when the big event had occurred, giving us pleasure and giggles. Usually, every morning my husband drove me to college on his bike along the Ring Road of the city. The college was approximately 16 kms from our government quarters, and he covered that distance in barely 17 mins! We started at 7:40 am and a minute before 8 I would be signing my name on the ‘Department-Electrical’ register and head straight for the morning class or the Digital Electronics laboratory or towards the department. But now, when we were getting assured of pregnancy, our pace got slowed. He drove slowly, I walked slowly. Oh, how eagerly we had waited for these days to come. The gynaecologist had advised a blood test after 3 weeks and a USG in 45 days of the Last Menstrual Period abbreviated as LMP to confirm pregnancy. All couples who have gone through this, do you recall your moments of anticipation?
Morning sickness- every pregnant lady faces it. My great grandmother had it, even her mother, and all her descendants including me. Same happened to my mother in law, the bearing women in her clan, and her mother in law too. Also, conception procedure world-over have remained the same ; that of my mother in laws’ couldn’t differ. After copulation, the (husband’s) sperm fertilizes the (wife’s) egg, and if this process inside the fallopian tube was successful, the fertilized egg would successfully travel down the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus, and embryo would start growing. Simple.
My in-laws surely adopted the same procedure- they have two children. Stretching far to assume ‘it’ wasn’t too exciting and was more of a mechanical workout between them, still I can’t place ‘shame’ and ‘embarrassment’ of the wife from her husband when she got pregnant! It is normal to face morning sickness which usually starts within 6 weeks of pregnancy and may last upto 14 weeks, a week here and there isn’t uncommon. Medical science attributes it to increased levels of hCG Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in blood, and/or increased levels of estrogen hormone, though there are no tests to prove these factors as causes of nausea. Again, I don’t see any embarrassing thing into it. I fail to understand, the man to whom I got married , with whom I entered into copulation, how on earth could I feel embarrassed in getting pregnant, from him? That I would have to run stealthily to the washroom if I needed to vomit, and avoid giving any clue of this ‘embarrassing’ act to my husband?

I had terrible bouts of morning sickness in the morning, in the afternoon and evening too, and I was unable to eat anything. Unfortunately, with the sickness attacking me every meal time, I lost count of the number of times I was expected to ‘feel embarrassed’ and act suitably. To add to further excitement, I needed to remain doubly embarrassed as my father in law was also in the house. Women are upholders of modesty. I should have remained underground, only come out when the males of the house weren’t in my purview.
My husband’s office was close by and he could come home for a quick lunch, but in my absence, he preferred to carry his lunch box. At times he came home too. I would keep his lunch in microwavable glass bowls and he would warm his food. My mother in law had once asked me to leave my job as warming the food in the microwave was a ‘hardship’ for my husband. Now, during these early months of pregnancy, I was unable to attend college and therefore, he came home for lunch. Oh, how I used to bawl in hunger, and he rushed home with some boiled potatoes and rice from office kitchen, and seeing the food my hunger would die down. The hormones were to be blamed for the erratic-ness. I wasn’t able to cook, neither could I stand any cooking done in the house. It was terrible. We tried hard. Unable to cope up with the unavoidable circus, we approached both the set of parents. Unfortunately, my parents had planned a trip with my mother’s siblings months before and cancelling it now would mean cancellation for the entire bunch. It was just a week’s trip, and she assured she would reach us within two days she returned from the trip and would stay with us till I got okay. My parent’s participation was taken for granted. None other than the mother can soothe and relieve an ailing or a troubled child. So, the wait was only for 10 days maximum. My in-laws scored a few brownie points here. They filled the gap of the 10 days with abundant excitement and melodrama, giving me the opportunity to write about those now, after 13 years.
As I just mentioned, my husband came home for lunch, and as a natural instinct, he came straight to our room to inquire after my health. Can this sit well with in laws? Never. 2 days the sin was tolerated, and the third day it was brought to an abrupt halt. The mother took it upon herself to redeem her son of the sin and prevent him from committing it any further.
One evening, my neighbour had prepared dahi vada(a popular snack made with fried lentil balls, dipped in yoghurt and spiced up with chillies, tamarind pulp , plain tomato sauce and gramflour crispies sprinkled over it) for me and I relished eating it, forgetting momentarily that I would throw it up quick. And that evening was bad. I needed support to even stand near the washbasin. My in-laws had parked themselves comfortably on the sofa-set in the living room, and who other than my husband would hold me then? But what followed surprised both of us. I laugh at it now, but we had got very upset then. Unable to control her anger seeing her son helping me, she made a sharp remark at me- ‘ How shamelessly you use the washbasin and throw up in front of all of us, don’t even have the common sense of going to the washroom? You women of this era have no respect for your elders. In our days it was so different. I felt so ashamed in front of your dad. Never ever he came to know of all this morning sickness and all. Infact, I never went around the house this way infront of him and never ever infront of my father in law. I was so embarrassed to even break the news of pregnancy to your dad. He eventually got the good news from others in the house. And betu(her son), your dad never went around me the way you do. This is so embarrassing to see you do that!’
Oh goodness, till date I couldn’t figure out why my mom-in-law felt so ashamed or embarrassed of her husband during her pregnancy! They copulated, right? That involved no shame or embarrassment but morning sickness did? And the one who impregnated you gets to know the results of his act from others and not his own wife. Sorry, can’t buy the logic. Nowadays, a husband accompanies the wife to the doctor and in many cases also to the labour room. Wonder how the in-laws cope up with this embarrassing and unacceptable behavior. Times have hopefully changed…
New parents, can you relate to the above?
Have we changed really, or are we just wearing a garb of modernity? After all, old traditions and quirkiness go hand in hand in a few cases- in cases of ignorance.
To all the new mom in- laws, please be a little patient and kind towards the would-be mom in your house. Much love.

Payel Roy Chowdhury

Payel Roy Chowdhury is an Electrical & Power System Engineer by profession and works in the field of Electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems as Design Consultant and Lecturer.

She did her Classical Vocals and Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti and holds a Visharad degree in both. She has been associated with Lalit Kala Academy, Kolkata as a Creative Dancer. Cooking, traveling and photography are her passion apart from music. She travels to explore nature and find stories in people. She is an avid reader and writes on issues she feels strongly about. She also assists authors to evaluate their manuscripts, develop and fine tune them.

Listen to her songs here :

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUaYmJtXnp73cx63LNRe9ag

January 19, 2019