Simple Tips to Recover from Stress

Here are several ways to relieve the stress and pressure of life amidst the fast-moving wheels of life.

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

Twilight atmosphere on Madura Island in mid-March 2024. Seeing a beautiful sunset view is said to relieve stress.

In the midst of a fast-paced life, many people are squeezed and cornered by various problems. Various life pressures not only make them tired physically, but also mentally.

To be able to recover from stress or psychological pressure, the solution is not to go on holiday somewhere. There are simple things with extraordinary benefits that can actually be done. Here are some simple tips for recovering from stress or mental pressure.

As stated by Dr. Yulia Fatima Bessing SpKJ (K), a psychiatrist at Radjiman Wediodiningrat Lawang Mental Hospital in Malang, making the body comfortable can be one way to cope with stress or psychological pressure. Making the body comfortable can be done with simple things that do not require any cost.

"In fact, to be able to overcome stress, there is no need to go overboard with expensive vacations or activities. Instead, making oneself comfortable can be done. In terms of mental health and cognitive health, the best way is to be exposed to sunlight while taking morning walks so that endorphins are released," said Yulia on Sunday (5/5/2024).

Endorphins are hormones in the body that function as pain relievers.

Also read: ”Sunset”, a pleasant twilight horizon that restores relationships

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

Residents enjoy their relaxing time at the East Tebet Smart Traffic Park, South Jakarta, Tuesday (5/4/2022) afternoon.

Going out and being exposed to the morning sunlight, according to Yulia, is very important. Some studies suggest that sunlight can stimulate the production of positive hormones in the body, such as serotonin and endorphins. Serotonin is a neurochemical hormone in the brain that affects pain. While serotonin makes people less likely to feel pain.

Serotonin also influences thermo-regulatory or temperature regulation in the body. If the body is uncomfortable due to extreme heat or cold, serotonin plays a role as a thermo-regulator or temperature regulator in the body.

"Serotonin focuses on restoring bodily comfort, making it difficult for the body's ability to cope with other stressors outside of it. So, this will affect resilience. People become easily aggressive and so on," he said.

When experiencing stress, the body and mind are actually working together to communicate that there is an imbalance occurring in the body. Therefore, detecting bodily imbalances can also be a way to cope with stress. Because bodily imbalances are different for each individual, consequently, people's ways of recovering from stress or mental pressure are different.

"The way to overcome it is to detect what is lacking. Whether it is the imbalance of not exercising, lack of sleep, or other things. We ourselves should know what we need," said Yulia.

Also read: Mental Health in 2024, Support Each Other in Critical Times

KOMPAS/LASTI KURNIA

Cat lovers gathered at the Cat's on Street event in the car-free area of Sudirman Street, Jakarta, on Sunday (7/9/2014). They wanted to show that stray cats are not pests and can look just as beautiful and handsome as purebred cats.

Quoting advice from experts, Yulia says that when stressed or feeling pressured, it is recommended to sit down and look around for things that can make our bodies feel comfortable. It could be by gazing at something pleasant or smelling a certain aroma. Another thing that can be done is to take a warm bath and massage.

"In essence, we activate all five of our senses. Because there are people who prioritize their comfort in visual, kinesthetic, smell, and other areas. Once again, we are the ones who know our body's needs the most," he said.

Ideally, we are the ones who know our body's needs the best. However, there are many people who are unaware of their body's needs and drown in uncontrollable anxiety and depression. In this situation, it is recommended to consult with experts or psychologists.

"The accumulation of imbalances in the body can affect the balance of neurotransmitters (chemical molecules that carry messages or signals from one nerve cell to the next target cell) in the brain to the point that help from an expert is needed. Therefore, stress does not occur suddenly, but has been building up for a long time," he said.

Another tip for dealing with stress is to establish a connection that makes a person comfortable. Whether it's connecting with a comforting person, with a pet, or with nature. This connection with someone or something, according to Yulia, is also an important key to recovering from mental stress.

Chatting with people you trust can be done to relieve stress.

There are people who are comfortable connecting with other people, for example meeting people, joining social gatherings, chatting and reunions. Connectedness can also be established with pets or nature. Connectedness can also be established with new knowledge outside of work.

"Sometimes, this new knowledge can actually inspire one's work. Because, by gaining new knowledge, they will feel re-energized with new knowledge," said Yulia.

Also read: Suicide, Mythology, and the Instant World

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Residents exercise as thin morning haze still envelops the Gelora Bung Karno Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/9/2015). Regular exercise and diet can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Likewise, a psychological counselor from Jakarta, Ferdiana Fachrudin SPsi, CCP, said that a simple thing you can do to relieve stress is to chat with other people. "Chatting with people you trust can be done to relieve stress," he said.

However, there are also people who are unable to speak with others. For those who have this problem, writing can be one form of therapy.

"Through writing, someone can express their emotions. It is better to write by hand because it can unleash emotions. There is pressure in writing, there is thickness, and our eyes and hands can see and feel it, our sense of hearing can hear it, and we can even smell the scent of the ink or paper. This can help alleviate our stress levels," he said.

Apart from that, according to Nana, exercise can also relieve stress. Because exercise can help release endorphins.

"If all these things don't help, then raise the white flag and ask for expert help," said Nana.

These are some simple things that can be done to alleviate stress or mental pressure. It's not expensive or complicated. Good luck trying them out, because our lives truly matter.

Also read: Air Temperature Can Impact Mental Disorders