We all want to be able to deal with stress better, but it’s one of those things that people struggle with. Tension seems to be built into the fabric of modern life, and there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to escape it.
Recently, researchers have become interested in this question as it becomes a modern epidemic. They want to know whether there are ways to deal with stress and what are the worst things people are doing that make the situation even more dire.
Doom Scrolling
Top of the list of stress-inducers is probably doom scrolling. Many people constantly flick through their social media feeds, looking for things to feel bad about.
Unfortunately, research shows that doom scrolling has mixed effects on the brain. While it offers dopamine hits, it also changes the way the brain operates, reinforcing negative news and a generally cynical approach to life. For example, people who spend more time looking at screens during stressful periods seem to have worse anxiety and depression symptoms.
Bottling Up Your Emotions
Bottling up your emotions is another poor way to deal with stress, according to the experts. It seems strong, but it can backfire in some people and lead to worse sensations and breakdowns overall.
For example, people with higher levels of chronic stress seem to suppress their emotions more, according to some research. Meanwhile, those who openly entertain them appear to do better, at least in some domains.
Overindulging In Dangerous Substances
Overindulging in dangerous substances is another poor way to deal with stress, according to science. Often, these practices prevent brain adaptation to the new situation and create additional dependencies that become hard to manage.
For example, you might be prone to consuming lots of caffeine when you feel stressed or turning to alcohol. You might also find yourself preoccupied with sugary treats, especially after work.
If you do want to use anything, try CBD gummies for stress. These work to calm the body and return it to balance instead of numbing the pain or just giving you extra energy when you’re exhausted by everything.
Isolating Yourself
Another poor way to deal with stress for most people is isolation. While it is tempting, it can often make the situation worse.
Withdrawing from friends and family can seem like a good idea sometimes. However, science says that strong social support networks are one of the most powerful antidotes to stress and, therefore, something you want to indulge in whenever you feel like tension is taking over your life.
Catastrophizing
Finally, you’ll want to avoid catastrophizing when trying to deal with stress. Negative self-talk can make the whole situation much worse, leading to additional emotional distress by worrying about what could happen but probably won’t.
Unfortunately, catastrophizing can strengthen negative brain circuits over time. These can then build on each other, making future stress episodes worse.
Science, on the other hand, supports the idea of using CBT. This therapy can reduce the tendency to imagine the negative and provide the mental tools to focus on the positive.
