Can Stress Become an Addiction? Dealing With Stress

Stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can sometimes find it hard to unwind and let go of stress. Hot baths, turning our phone off for an hour, watching our favourite shows and even taking a physical break from work or school can’t always help our brains to shut off and relax. A question has been circulating online asking, are we addicted to stress?

The answer is, yes. Yes, we can become addicted to stress and, for many, that can become a natural state of mind and everyday struggle. At That Girl Journals, we set out to find out how we can de-stress and cope with stress to prevent stress addiction.

Research shows that when we feel stressed, our body pumps Cortisol (stress hormones) and dopamine into a part of our brain that controls mood, fear, and motivation. But when our body experiences constant high levels of stress, this can cause a stress hormone imbalance.
Research carried out by addiction specialists found that when stress takes over the nervous system it can cause a “natural high” and “cravings –just like drugs do”.
Imagine this, whether it be at work, school, or in your personal life, you’re always searching for stressful situations to feel a sense of accomplishment and pleasure - to feel that “high” - this is not healthy for your mind and body.
On the other hand, our mindset can be the greatest cause of stress and when we convince ourselves that we are in or are going into a stressful situation, our mind and body fall into “fight or flight mode”, but that isn’t the real world and we don’t need to practice that toxic mindset every day in our real lives.

This constant state of stress or urge to put yourself in a stressful situation can cause many mental and physical health issues such as anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, issues with focusing, skin problems, and a low immune system.

What does stress addiction look like? 

• Seeking out stressful situations or putting yourself in stressful environments

• Enjoying and creating drama

• Engaging in harmful behaviour

• Struggle to focus

• Lack of self-care (because you’re just too stressed and busy)

• You are always feeling stressed

Breaking the Cycle

If you’re concerned that feelings of stress are becoming too normal for you, here are a few positive lifestyle and mental changes that you can make to break the cycle:

• Meditation & Mindfulness Practice  
  Mediation can put you into a state of peace and relaxation. One aim of meditation practice is to clear your mind of negative and overwhelming thoughts and distress. Meditation helps you to focus on just being in the moment rather than constantly moving on to the next thing and doing too much, which can cause feelings of stress and anxiety. Finally, practicing mindfulness and meditation can help a part of the brain (amygdala) to reduce stress activity in the brain. Further, helping you to take a break from the noise and create a state of relaxation.

• Exercise
  Regular exercise is beneficial for your mental well-being as well as physically. Exercising releases feel-good endorphins to our brain, improving our mood and easing feelings of stress and anxiety. Regular exercise will provide you with an outlet for your stress and can have positive effects on your body (specifically the immune system and brain function) that will help protect your body from the harmful effects of stress.

• Focus on Herbal Health
  Herbs have been used for centuries to support several physical and mental conditions. Research into stress relief found that the use of herbs such as lavender (helps to calm and improve sleep), chamomile (effective in aiding with relaxation), and passionflower (boosts GABA levels and produces a calming effect on the brain that can promote relaxation) can have relieved the effects of stress.

Note: always consult with a medical professional, even if you are considering herbal remedies.

• Unplug & Unwind
  Trying to relax at the end of a stressful day can be extremely difficult, but this can also have bad side effects on your physical and mental health. Not being able to unwind at the end of the day can cause eating issues, inconsistent sleep, and feelings of anxiety and cause you to wake up just as stressed as you were when you fell asleep. Ways to unplug and unwind after a demanding day include journaling and writing out all your feelings at the end of the day to try and make sense of your emotions and let go of the events of the day. Feeding your body with food that you love can relieve stress and improve your mood. Not only are you making sure you have a proper meal, but when we eat we are releasing endorphins that will make us feel happy and relaxed. Look after your mind and body by disconnecting from technology and dedicating time to yourself through evening meditation, a warm relaxing bath, a book, or your favourite show.

• Mindset Coaching & Professional Help
  If you believe that you are suffering from stress or even stress addiction, then it is important to consider speaking to a professional mental health and stress professional. They are trained to identify triggers and give you the support and tools to cope with stress in daily life. Remember, there is nothing wrong with seeking help when your mental and physical well-being needs it. You are important, so always put your mental and well-being first.