Stress can lead to serious emotional and physical health problems and the situation can worsen when stress becomes chronic (Alban, 2017). In this context, stress according to the Oxford dictionary is defined as a state of emotional or physical strain or tension that comes from adverse situations. It caused by a major hormone called cortisol, which can contribute to a variety of physical illnesses and mental health issues, and eventually ruin one’s life (Alban, 2017). As a result, many studies have been carried out to find ways of reducing stress for healthy living. This paper, therefore, focuses on ways that will help the body to behave in a manner that helps the brain respond to stress.
Ways of Helping Brain Respond to Stress
According to Horn (2013), singing is one major way that has been proven to relieve anxiety, elevate hormone endorphins responsible for happiness, and lower stress levels. This is because when a person is singing, the vibrations of music tunes move through the brain and consequently altering the emotional and physical landscape of that person. As Horn (2013) added, that singing is a perfect tranquilizer which leads to the soothing of nerves as well as uplifting bodily spirits. This may be attributed to the fact that singing release hormones such endorphins linked with a feeling of pleasure, oxytocin which has been found to relieve stress and anxiety as well as enhancing the feelings of bonding and trust.
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Various studies have found the benefits of singing to be many. According to Horn (2013), one study found that singers level of hormone cortisol is lower, which indicates lower stress. Other studies have also found that singing relieves anxiety, thus contributing to the quality of life. As Horn (2013) concludes, group singing is healthier than drinking, cheaper than going for a therapy and more fun than a workout.
Similarly, another way to help brain respond to stress is through reducing hormone cortisol, which is responsible for causing stress (Alban, 2017). Chronical cortisol increment in the body has been found to contribute to brain fog, depression, and mental disorders and brings the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure among other diseases. Additionally, when cortisol increases to higher levels, it can kill the brain cells and eventually cause death (Alban 2017). As such, ways of reducing hormone cortisol can be a tremendous step towards lowering stress level.
One way of lowering cortisol levels is through physical exercise. Regular physical exercise helps to reduce cortisol, thus enhancing brain and ultimately improves cognitive functions, mental health, protecting the brain from aging effects and as well helping the body to easily relax more. It doesn’t have to be a strenuous exercise to experience reduction in stress, in fact, too much exercise like a marathon can actually increase cortisol. Light exercises like thirty minutes biking or walking are recommendable for reduction of cortisol which results in lowering stress level (Alban, 2017). In addition, meditation can also help lower cortisol level. Negative thoughts have been found to be a serious source of stress from inside the body. Thus, positive self-thinking and talk can be an effective way of reducing cortisol. Meditation assists a person to gain control of thoughts, and many studies have supported mindful meditation as one best habit to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. This is because, meditation reduces cortisol and increase chemicals such as serotine and endorphins that help the brain to feel good (Alban, 2017).
Conclusion
It is evident from the above discussion the effects of stress that can lead to general health deterioration such as mental health and a number of serious chronic diseases. The health of a person relates to life, and since life is a precious gift from God valued by every society, it is important to live a healthy life free of stress and chronic diseases. As result, practicing the ways and methods of reducing stress outlined above together with other ways may be an impactful step towards leaving healthy.
References
Alban, D. (2017). How to Reduce Cortisol, the Stress Hormone. Be Brain Fit . Retrieved November 16, 2017, from https://bebrainfit.com/reduce-cortisol-stress-hormone/
Horn, S. (2013). Singing Changes Your Brain. TIME.com . Retrieved November 16, 2017, from http://ideas.time.com/2013/08/16/singing-changes-your-brain/
