Life is full of challenges and difficult situations that can impose psychological and emotional pressures on us, but the ability to deal with them wisely can make a big difference in the quality of our lives. Managing stress does not mean avoiding it entirely, but rather finding effective ways to cope with it and reduce its negative impact. One of the most important methods is adopting a positive mindset and focusing on happy moments that bring us comfort and balance.
When we face daily stress, recognizing the importance of relaxation and enjoying beautiful moments helps us regain energy and renew our enthusiasm for life. Whether through practicing favorite hobbies, spending enjoyable time with family and friends, or even savoring simple moments of meditation and gratitude, these factors contribute to improving our mental state and enhance our ability to face challenges with confidence and optimism.Psychological health specialist Dr. Farah Al-Har explains the details of this topic to nador magazine.
What is Psychological Stress?
Dr. Farah Al-Har highlights the nature of modern life, which is characterized by acceleration and multiple daily pressures, making a person more prone to psychological exhaustion and overthinking. She emphasizes the importance of not postponing happiness but enjoying beautiful moments when they happen because they do not repeat.
Psychological stress is defined as psychological and physical responses to challenges and demands that exceed a person’s ability to cope. These pressures may arise from various sources:
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Financial
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Professional
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Emotional
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Family
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Internal (such as feelings of low self-efficacy)
Therefore, it is essential to develop awareness on how to manage psychological stress and maintain the ability to enjoy life despite challenges because life is a mixture of struggles and beauty.
When we live under constant psychological stress or recurring life pressures, we enter a mental state called the “survival mode” or “work mode.” In this state, the mind is fully occupied with trying to adapt or survive, leading to a loss or dulling of the feeling of positive moments or the beautiful aspects of life.
When under constant pressure, we lose the ability to enjoy life or notice the beautiful things around us because our focus shifts entirely to survival and dealing with challenges, rather than truly living or appreciating moments of happiness.
How to Control Psychological Stress
Psychological stress involves psychological and physical responses to challenges and demands.
Controlling psychological stress includes the following key steps:
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Self-awareness: The first step is to be aware of our feelings and what we are going through.
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Accurate naming of emotions: Identifying the exact feeling (e.g., anger or frustration) helps the brain separate the feeling from the self and begin processing it healthily.
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Understanding the source: Asking why you feel a certain way helps recognize its roots and therefore handle it effectively.
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Organizing life: By prioritizing tasks and daily duties and allocating time for rest and self-care.
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Adopting effective daily techniques such as:
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Breathing exercises
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Quick journaling to release emotions
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Walking in nature
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Meditation
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Avoiding negative people: Ensuring you spend time with supportive people who boost your mental comfort.
The main goal of these steps is to achieve psychological balance and reduce daily tension practically and effectively. Managing stress begins with awareness and organization, then adopting healthy daily habits that help maintain balance and comfort. It focuses on a set of practical habits and advice:
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Adequate sleep: Adults need 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily because good sleep helps stabilize the nervous system and reduce stress.
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Balanced diet: Eating nutritious and regular meals and reducing stimulants like caffeine that may increase tension.
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Neuro-linguistic programming techniques: Used to improve thinking, behavior, and emotions, proven effective in stress reduction.
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Practicing mindfulness: Being fully aware of the present moment without judgment. This increases the release of happiness hormones like dopamine, improving mood and mental comfort.
Happiness: A Biological Necessity
Happiness is not just a luxury or an extra; it is a vital mental and health necessity. It directly affects the body’s neurochemistry.
The impact of positive moments on the body:
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Increases happiness hormones like dopamine.
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Decreases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
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Improves focus, immunity, overall mood, and daily enjoyment — all ways to resist stress.
Happiness reprograms the brain toward optimism. Experiencing positive moments gives the brain a chance to:
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Rewire for optimism
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Make better decisions
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Achieve overall life success
Paying attention to daily enjoyment is not selfish or indulgent; it is an effective tool for mental health and personal success.
You can also explore how to manage psychological stress affecting marital relationships.
Pressures never end, but our awareness is the decisive factor that determines whether these pressures build our character or break us. We need to pause life’s whirlwind for a few moments, take deep breaths, and live the present moment deeply; life is not just the number of days we live, but the quality of the moments we experience.
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