In the last year, due to the current situation we are experiencing, people’s mental health has been radically affected, many times compromising our usual routine. Antonella Galli, a psychologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, indicates that given the situation, it is normal for people to have high levels of stress and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to identify them

Stress

It is the biological and behavioral response to a real or perceived threat to the physical or psychological integrity of a person. There are two types of stress: eustress and distress

• Eustress or positive stress: It is the mental and physical response that adapts to the demands of the environment. This helps to face situations that can be dangerous or challenging, allowing them to be resolved victoriously, helping to enhance confidence and security. It relates to activities such as entering a new job, having an important exam, learning a new activity, etc.
• Distress or negative stress: It is when the mind and body become overloaded, being unable to deal with the situation. It generates the increase in cortisol, which is associated with physical and mental illnesses, such as:
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased blood sugar
  • Fat accumulation despite taking care of the diet
  • Infertility in men and women
  • Gastrointestinal problems such as pain, intestinal constipation or irritable bowel
  • Anxiety and depression disorders

Anxiety

It is a reaction to stress. It occurs in the presence of feelings of concern, fear and restlessness, which are usually excessive and continuous in everyday situations. There are two ways to express anxiety:

• The first is with the compression of the vagus nerve, what the specialist calls the “turtle effect”, because when faced with a threatening effect, the person withdraws and hides. To decompress the vagus nerve, the type of abdominal breathing must be performed.
• The second is with the activation of the central nervous system. The person feels a high mobilization of energy reflected in agitated breathing, strong heartbeats, excessive sweating, among others. If you have these symptoms, it is advisable to perform several abdominal breathing exercises, five times a day every two hours. In addition, it is recommended:
  • Perform sports activities that reduce the level of stress
  • Organize your pending tasks to get through the day in an orderly way
  • Reduce the amount of responsibilities
  • Talk with family or friends to help you reduce the stress burden

Remember that it is important to have an open and flexible mind to changes to maintain a good balance in your mental health.

Antonella Galli
Psychologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma