Stress is one of the most widespread public health challenges today. For many people, everyday life can feel overwhelming at times, and prolonged stress can have serious consequences for both physical and mental wellbeing.
According to international health organizations (e.g. WHO), an increasing number of people around the world are experiencing stress-related symptoms.
In Denmark, several studies indicate that up to one in four Danes feel stressed in everyday life to a greater or lesser degree. Stress affects not only the individual, but also companies and society in the form of sick leave, lower productivity and increased healthcare costs.
What can cause stress?
High demands and expectations
Many people are under constant pressure to perform optimally at work, study and in their private lives. This can be due to short deadlines, exams, financial pressure or the desire to live up to your own and others’ ideals – for example via social media, where success, status and perfection are often emphasized.
Lack of balance
When work time, studying or family chores take up too much of your free time, rest and social relationships, it can create an imbalance that leads to ongoing stress.
Personal factors
Some people are more vulnerable to stress than others. Personality traits such as perfectionism or difficulty saying no can make it easier to take on too many tasks or worries.
Unforeseen events
Life can present difficult situations – divorce, illness, death, unemployment, financial problems – all of which can trigger acute or long-term stress if you don’t get enough support and time to process these experiences.
What can you do about stress?
Prevention and awareness
- Learn to recognize the signs: Symptoms of stress can include anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, palpitations, difficulty concentrating or tension in the body. The earlier you recognize these signs, the easier it is to stop a negative spiral.
- Set boundaries: Practice saying no when tasks become too much. Talk to your boss, colleagues or family about adjusting demands and expectations.
Create balance in everyday life
- Schedule breaks: Short breathing breaks throughout the day can reduce the risk of overexertion.
- Sleep and exercise: Regular exercise can relieve stress, while adequate sleep is essential for both body and mind.
- Prioritize leisure and interests: Hobbies and activities that bring joy and peace are an important counterbalance to chores and deadlines.
Stress management and reduction
- Mindfulness and relaxation: Practices such as meditation, yoga and breathing techniques can help lower tension levels in the body.
- Social support: Talk to friends, family or colleagues if you feel under pressure. Sharing your worries can ease the feeling of being alone.
- Professional help: To relax the body, massage and musculupati can be a great help. In some cases, it may also be necessary to seek help from a psychologist, stress coach or other therapist. Through conversations, you can gain tools to manage stress, change unhelpful thought patterns and break negative habits.
Adapting your lifestyle
- Diet: A varied, healthy diet stabilizes blood sugar levels and provides the body with the nutrients needed to withstand stress.
- Cut down on stimulants: Coffee, alcohol or large amounts of sugar can exacerbate stress symptoms as they affect the body and brain in a way that increases anxiety and tension.
- Structure your everyday life: Write to-do lists, make a realistic schedule and avoid overbooking yourself. Remember to schedule time for rest and spontaneous breaks.
Stress is a growing problem that affects many people. The high demands of the outside world, our own expectations of ourselves and unforeseen events can all cause us to feel under pressure. Long-term stress is not only detrimental to our physical and mental health, but also to our relationships and work performance.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and manage stress. By learning to recognize the signs in time, creating a better work-life balance, using relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and reaching out for social and professional support, you can reduce the risk of burning out.
Managing stress often requires a combination of changes in work, personal life and habits – but it’s an investment in a more calm, balanced and fulfilling life.
For some it requires major life changes to live a stress-free life, for example, many people choose a career change. The most important thing is to find out what it is that makes you stressed and take action.
We have many students at the school who want to change professions to have a less stressful everyday life. Working as a massage therapist gives most people a very calm and stress-free workday. You have one client to focus on at a time, in a calm environment with no technology such as phones and computers to distract you. A massage or musculupat treatment is thus relaxing for both client and therapist.