Dealing with chronic stress, By Sylvester Ojenagbon

Persistent stress is a silent killer that many Nigerians endure or ignore with out ample regard for its risks. Whereas monetary struggles, office calls for, and societal pressures are actual, stress should be correctly managed to forestall grievous well being penalties.

For a lot of Nigerians, each day dwelling has develop into a relentless wrestle. In cities like Lagos, many go away residence very early and typically spend hours in site visitors. They return residence late at evening, after enduring hours of site visitors congestion, however are welcomed by erratic energy provide and the noise of mills. In lots of components of the nation, farmers and folks typically face the threats of local weather change and insurgency, that are disrupting livelihoods and exacerbating meals insecurity. In a approach, stress triggers have develop into a recurring decimal for the overwhelming majority of Nigerians.

Now, power stress is alleged to be a way of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over an extended interval. Stress, ordinarily, is the physique’s response to a problem or demand. When pressured, the physique releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which put together it for motion by rising the center fee, blood strain, and blood sugar ranges. This surge of hormones is a part of the physique’s “struggle or flight” response, which is supposed to assist us react rapidly to challenges or hazard.

Nevertheless, persistent stress creates a strain cooker atmosphere, the place the physique’s fight-or-flight response is consistently activated. At such occasions, stress stops being a motivator and begins being a destroyer; it begins carrying down the physique and thoughts. This results in a mess of well being points.

The reality is that the causes of power stress are many and different, particularly in our nation. The excessive unemployment charges, unflinching inflation, and low wages, put immense monetary pressure on many individuals and households. Individuals now should juggle a number of jobs to make ends meet.

And lots of locations of labor have exceptionally demanding situations. These could embrace poisonous environments, unrealistic deadlines, and job insecurity. A 2023 Gallup report discovered that fifty per cent of employees in Nigeria expertise stress within the office, with this determine rising by 3 per cent yearly. Many staff report experiencing burnout, however solely few organisations supply help for stress administration.

As well as, cultural expectations, such because the strain to supply for prolonged households, marry, or conform to societal requirements, add one other stage of psychological or emotional stress. The insecurity, kidnappings, and political instability within the nation additionally contribute to a common sense of tension amongst Nigerians. Fixed fear about private security may cause stress and have critical psychological results.

Extended stress can equally worsen present bodily well being issues and contribute to situations like fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and arthritis. It will probably additionally result in issue managing feelings, elevated irritability, and temper swings. Some could flip to alcohol, medication, or different substances to deal with stress, and this typically results in dependancy.

In line with reviews, an estimated 30 per cent of Nigerian adults are affected by hypertension, with stress being a serious contributing issue. Persistent stress additionally contributes to psychological well being issues, corresponding to consuming and character problems. It equally weakens the immune system and makes the physique extra susceptible to infections. Gastrointestinal points corresponding to ulcers, acid reflux disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are additionally generally linked to emphasize.

Persistent stress can equally trigger muscle pressure and disrupt sleep patterns, and this results in insomnia and fatigue. It will probably additionally result in each weight acquire and weight reduction, relying on how folks attempt to deal with it.

Extended stress can equally worsen present bodily well being issues and contribute to situations like fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and arthritis. It will probably additionally result in issue managing feelings, elevated irritability, and temper swings. Some could flip to alcohol, medication, or different substances to deal with stress, and this typically results in dependancy.

Persistent stress equally impacts cognitive capabilities and makes it more durable for folks to pay attention, remedy issues, or keep motivated. Employees experiencing power stress are much less productive and this finally impacts office effectivity.

One in 4 Nigerians had been present in a examine by the Nigerian Psychological Well being Basis to expertise some type of psychological well being dysfunction, with nervousness and despair being the commonest. Extended stress is a serious contributor to those situations. But, psychological well being companies are severely underfunded within the nation, with fewer than 250 psychiatrists serving a inhabitants of over 200 million.

Now, common bodily exercise corresponding to jogging, strolling, or yoga helps cut back stress ranges. Consuming a balanced weight-reduction plan with recent fruits, greens, and complete meals helps fight the unfavourable results of stress.

In work environments, setting private boundaries and prioritising self-care has been discovered to assist in coping with stress. Employers implementing insurance policies that help worker well-being, corresponding to versatile working hours, psychological well being help, and affordable workloads have equally been discovered to be useful.

You will need to have sufficient high quality sleep as poor sleep patterns can exacerbate stress-related well being points. Easy leisure methods corresponding to deep respiration workouts, meditation, and journaling will help handle each day stressors successfully.

It has additionally been discovered that having sturdy relationships with household, pals, and neighborhood members will help folks address stress. Participating in social actions, spiritual gatherings, or peer help teams additionally supplies emotional aid and encouragement.

In work environments, setting private boundaries and prioritising self-care has been discovered to assist in coping with stress. Employers implementing insurance policies that help worker well-being, corresponding to versatile working hours, psychological well being help, and affordable workloads have equally been discovered to be useful.

And governments at each stage should make investments extra in healthcare infrastructure, notably in psychological well being companies. Public consciousness campaigns also can assist cut back stigma and encourage folks to hunt assist. Moreover, addressing the basis causes of stress — corresponding to unemployment, insecurity, and insufficient infrastructure — is essential for long-term options to the issue of stress.

Persistent stress is a silent killer that many Nigerians endure or ignore with out ample regard for its risks. Whereas monetary struggles, office calls for, and societal pressures are actual, stress should be correctly managed to forestall grievous well being penalties.

Sylvester Ojenagbon, a well being communication knowledgeable, lives in Lagos.