STRESS-RELATED illnesses are physical or mental problems that may be brought on by or made worse by stress. They can include headaches, stomachaches, sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, and many other conditions. Everyone endures some stress in their lives, but not everyone suffers the same degree of illness as a result of this stress. Each individual's body is affected differently; some people experience a severe negative impact and others get through the stressful event unscathed. Your particular stress response depends on your personality type, natural disposition and emotional makeup, family and social environment, and most importantly, the way your brain perceives the stress. The first step to better cope with life's stresses is to change your perception; to adopt a more positive outlook on what you are going through and why you are going through it. A positive attitude and looking at things from a fresh point of view was prescribed for believers, in the Holy Qur'an, {and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you}. (surah 2, verse 216) Experts in neuro-linguistic programming recommend perceiving adversity as a temporary problem, which has a feasible solution. A problem will be less overwhelming and less deleterious to our health if we deal with it as a challenge, a chance for personal growth, rather than seeing it as a disaster. Studies indicate that negative thoughts contribute to psychological illness. In our own self-talk, we tell ourselves about 5,000 words each day, and 77% of these words that we say to ourselves are negative. The best medicine for stress is to repeat positive words to ourselves, until they become deeply embedded beliefs and our natural way of thinking. It is like reprogramming our minds. Referring to a stressful situation as being either possible or impossible to deal with will greatly change the outcome. Sometimes it is the negative thinking pattern that creates unnecessary fears and anxiety; more so than the stress itself. A positive, optimistic person looks at the problem as short-lived, limited to only one area of life, and does not allow this problem to spill over into other areas. He concentrates on what can be done; on his strengths not weaknesses. A positive person sees the glass half full; not half empty. Understand the reality of the problem, work out ways to resolve it, and when needed ask for help and support from friends, family, or experts. A more physical or tangible form of stress medicine is exercise; it can do wonders. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience in May, 2013, researchers at Princeton University found that physical activity reorganizes the brain so that its response to stress is reduced and anxiety is less likely to interfere with normal brain function. Deep breathing is an excellent stress reducing exercise that many of us tend to neglect. We rarely take the time to focus on our breathing. Taking in full, deep breaths can be therapeutic for several health complaints. It induces relaxation, and decreases the level of stress hormones in the body. Getting adequate sleep is one of the best remedies for stress; sleep deprivation in itself causes irritability and anxiety. As for stress-busting nutrients, you should increase intake of B vitamins, found in leafy green vegetables, lentils, fish, and eggs. Magnesium is known to relax the nerves and is found in high amounts in spinach, nuts, seeds, fish, beans, lentils, whole grains, avocados, bananas, dried figs, and dark chocolate. Smile and laugh in the face of stress. Smiling and laughing activates the release of the feel good neurotransmitters: dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. This relaxes your body, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, acts a pain reliever, and serves as a mood lifter. In Islam, a believer is rewarded for smiling, which is regarded as an act of charity. Another relaxing technique to expel anxiety and soothe the mind is to spend time outdoors in nature, looking at and admiring the beautiful scenery. The source of many forms of depression and anxiety is either sadness over the past or excessive worrying about the future. The surest medicine against these disturbances is patience and the remembrance of our Creator; seeking His help and relying on Him. “Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is healing and medicine for the heart. Forgetfulness is a disease, the cure for which is remembrance of Allah,” said Hasan Al-Basri. Hundreds of recent studies have indicated the profound role that spirituality, connection with the Supreme Lord, and prayer has on physical, emotional, and mental health; making you more resilient when under stress. Last but not least, giving may be the most powerful panacea for stress. To achieve a calm, serene, and satisfied state of mind, give others, help those in need, make a difference in someone else's life. The prescription is clear in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he said, “The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who brings most benefit to the people. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah is a Muslim making another Muslim happy, or relieving them from hardship or paying off their debt or warding off hunger from them.” (Daraqutni) Knowing that everyone, at some point in life, undergoes calamity, that we will be rewarded for our patience, and that we can pray to our Lord to ease our pain and relieve our stress and that He answers our prayers is a medicine like no other in coping with stress.
