Many things can trigger stress in women, ranging from weight problems to love problems. However, stress will not solve the problems you are facing. Stress can actually have a negative impact on your mental and physical health.
Stress is a reaction produced by the body when faced with a situation or event. When you are stressed, you will feel heavier breaths and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
There are many effects that stress can have, both positive and negative. The positive impact is that stress can increase your motivation to solve the problems that trigger the stress. This stress can certainly be considered as something beneficial.
However, there is also negative stress. Severe stress or stress that interferes with health can cause psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety disorders, and physical disorders. Therefore, the stress that causes these health problems needs to be addressed immediately.
Various Impacts of Stress on Women
The following are some of the effects of stress on women that you should be aware of:
1. Irregular menstrual cycle
The burden of thinking that is too heavy can actually affect the menstrual cycle. When you are stressed, the part of the brain that regulates the menstrual cycle (hypothalamus) will be disturbed.
This condition causes the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle to be produced to be out of balance, so that menstruation becomes irregular.
2. PMS is getting worse
PMS (Premenstrual syndrome) is a collection of symptoms and complaints felt by women before menstruation. In some women, these symptoms can be felt until the menstrual period is over.
PMS symptoms can vary, ranging from headaches, breast pain, mood changes, insomnia, disturbed digestion, to changes in sexual desire. These symptoms can be felt more severe when women experience stress before the period of menstruation.
3. Psychological problems
ladies, stress should not be left too long and dragged on, yes. Unresolved stress can make women vulnerable to psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and easily emotional. This of course can have a negative impact on daily activities and work.
4. Skin problems
In addition to the mind, it turns out that stress can also affect the condition of the skin. Stress can cause an increase in the production of the hormone cortisol, which can trigger excess oil production on the skin.
In addition, women often forget or are reluctant to take care of their skin when they are stressed. These two things can trigger the emergence of several problems on the skin, one of which is acne.
5. Difficulty concentrating
Stress can interfere with your attention and focus. Work that you can usually finish quickly can actually take a long time when you're stressed. In addition, stress also makes you lose passion and enthusiasm for work.
6. Sleep disturbances
Stress in women can also affect sleep patterns. Women who are under stress tend to have trouble falling asleep or wake up suddenly between sleep times.
This is because excessive stress can make the burden of the mind accumulate and even cause mental stress, so that the body cannot rest comfortably. However, this is not absolutely the case. There are also some women who do not experience sleep disturbances when under stress.
Beware of the Impact of Stress on Pregnant Women
During pregnancy, you may feel anxious, especially when you think about the health of the fetus in the womb. Coupled with the many changes that are passed during pregnancy, such as changes in body shape and fatigue due to having to undergo daily activities. This condition can trigger you to experience stress during pregnancy.
Actually, stress during pregnancy is a normal condition experienced by pregnant women. However, if stress occurs continuously, this condition will have a negative impact on the health of the fetus.
Stress that is not managed properly can increase the risk of giving birth to a baby with low birth weight or even prematurely. There are also studies that show that there is a relationship between stress during pregnancy and an increased risk of impaired infant development.
How to Deal with Stress pthere are pregnant women
Although stress is a common condition, you must be able to manage stress well, especially for those of you who are pregnant. Everyone has a different way of dealing with stress, so it's important that you understand how to deal with stress that works for you.
To deal with stress, start by finding out what is stressing you out. After that, find the best way to deal with the stress according to the cause.
You can exchange ideas with people you trust. Tell your family or partner what worries you. In addition, ask your husband to always support you during pregnancy. This way, you will feel better.
You can also divert your mind by doing positive activities, such as traveling or take a short vacation, to take time off to rest and overcome fatigue that is felt to be stressful (me time).
When you're stressed, you are also advised to exercise regularly, such as yoga for pregnant women, swimming, eating healthy foods, and getting enough sleep so that you and your baby's health is maintained.
If the methods above are not able to relieve the stress you are experiencing, then don't hesitate to consult a psychologist. This is so that you don't experience stress for a long time. If you are pregnant, you can also consult a gynecologist for some tips and suggestions to deal with the stress you feel when you are pregnant.