What is psychological distress? 4 Strategies to Cope With It

Last Update: February 15, 2023, 11:38 IST

People with insomnia are ten times more likely to develop depression than those who sleep well

The American Psychological Association defines psychological distress as “a set of painful mental and physical symptoms associated with normal fluctuations of mood in most people”.

Psychological distress is a common experience that people sometimes go through. It can manifest in various forms like anxiety, depression or stress. Needless to say, this can have a significant impact on one’s mental and physical health.

The American Psychological Association defines it as “a set of painful mental and physical symptoms associated with normal fluctuations of mood in most people”. Luckily, there are ways to deal with it. All you have to do is do what’s best for you to manage it. Read on to know the 4 easiest ways to deal with it:

Exercise

The American Psychological Association mentions all the health benefits that exercise can bring to our bodies. It could be something as simple as that. In fact, it can even include something as simple as walking at a brisk pace. If you are into dancing, even a fun dance session can do wonders for your body. It has been found that exercise not only helps in improving our sleep but can also reduce stress. Physical activity can help us combat the negative effects of stress, most prominently the effect of stress on our immune system.

engage in humor and laughter

We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine and maybe we just need to get rid of it. St. Augustine’s University for Health Sciences shares the many mental health benefits of laughter and humor. First and foremost is the distraction it provides your brain from the worrisome thoughts that cause stress. It is also important in creating a general sense of well-being and can improve your overall mood. Cortisol, which is our primary stress hormone, can be combated by genuine laughter. It can also increase endorphins, a hormone that’s great for fighting stress. Lastly, it is also a great way to improve and strengthen your relationships, be they personal or professional.

go out in nature

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending time with nature can help cope with stress. This is because when we are surrounded by nature, there is a significant drop in the stress hormone cortisol. All you have to do is spend at least 20 to 30 minutes surrounded by a setting.

get those hours of sleep

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has found that sleep is essential for optimal health in children and adolescents. They assembled a panel of 13 sleep experts and reviewed more than 850 scientific articles. After long discussions, it was found that the following amounts of sleep are important on a regular basis:

Infants need 12 to 16 hours of sleep including naps, toddlers need 11 to 14 hours including naps, and 3 to 5 year olds need 10 to 13 hours including naps.

Children ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours and teenagers need at least 8 to 10 hours to function properly. It has been found that at least 7 hours of sleep is necessary for adults. Getting a healthy amount of sleep on a regular basis can improve mental and physical health.

read all Latest Lifestyle News Here