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Warning We get sick from too much stress
Increasing stress in the job, private duties and the desire to make everything "perfect": More than half of adults feel stressed out according to a message from the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology (DGPPN). Those who are constantly energized are at an increased risk for mental and physical illnesses such as depression or hypertension. Therefore, leading experts at this year's DGPPN Congress in Berlin warn of the possible consequences of modern life and demand stronger research work.
Deadline pressure and obligations determine everyday life
The project for the customer must be completed today, the next appointment is already waiting, the boss really wants to discuss something and then calls the day care center, because the child has suddenly got a fever: or similar looks like many working people of the "normal insanity "Of everyday life. Wanting to meet the increasing pressure to perform at work and family obligations alike, leads to more and more people becoming more and more stressful.
Ever-increasing demands in everyday life are pushing more and more people to the limits of their capacity. (Image: Kaspars Grinvalds / fotolia.com) And that's not all: Because often comes the high claim to yourself: It torments through diets, goes completely exhausted after work in the gym and cooks on the weekend, a four-course meal for friends. "Doing nothing", on the other hand, is often frowned upon and breaks are often considered a wasted time.
Depression and tinnitus due to constant stress
Restlessness and a "life in the fast lane" can be very dangerous for your health. While stress is not generally negative, it helps us, to a certain extent, master new challenges and deal with difficult situations. However, if the stress persists, the risk of mental and physical illness increases. These include depression, anxiety disorders, tinnitus, high blood pressure or infectious diseases, informs the DGPPN.
"Everyone is capable, beautiful and young and they want to stay that way for as long as possible. This has consequences for people's behavior, "said DGPPN President Iris Hauth to the dpa news agency. "I would not say that lifestyle causes illnesses. But lifestyle causes behavioral changes and emotional changes that may eventually become risk factors for a disease, "the expert continued.
One in four is constantly under stress
Of particular concern is the high number of people affected: more than half of adults feel stressed out by DGPPN, and one in four is even exposed to constant stress. Often the stress is related to the modern life circumstances: The life in the city, the ever higher demands in the job as well as constantly new technological possibilities often "flood" us.
"All of this influences our thinking, our emotions and our behavior. Excessive stress and susceptibility to stress can be the result and have a negative impact on mental health, "said Drs. Iris Hauth according to the press release at the annual congress of the professional society.
Big city life increases the risk of disease
Accordingly, leading psychiatrists at this year's DGPPN congress in Berlin (23-26.11.) Focus on the risk factors associated with the modern way of life and call for a better exploration of these aspects. It is known, for example, that depression or anxiety disorders are much more common in cities than in rural areas.
Digitization quickly leads to excessive demands
According to the experts, there are a number of other mental health risk factors that arise from today's "new", modern life. Many people find it hard to resist the stimuli of the digital world. But the constant "always on" -sein not only brings benefits. Rather, the excessive use of computers and the Internet can have serious consequences for the lives of those affected, the experts warn. These include, but are not limited to, social withdrawal, job difficulties and mental illnesses such as depressions.
Pressure due to high demands on yourself
In addition, it would be the case that young people in particular often come under great pressure due to a high standard of their own. An example are unrealistic beauty ideals, which are mediated by the media and can lead to body image disorders or eating disorders such as anorexia (anorexia) or bulimia.
"We know today that biological factors - such as genetic stress or metabolic changes in the brain - as well as family conditions, stressful life experiences and other environmental factors play a role in the development of mental illness. There is great potential here to develop new preventive and therapeutic approaches. " Iris Hauth.
Pay attention to balance and reduce stress levels
So that the stress of everyday life does not prevail, you can do something by small actions and provide for balance. "Even doing nothing is unbelievably helpful for the health of the brain," Hauth recommends in an interview with the news agency. It would be helpful, for example, to deliberately recall the successful things of the day in the evening, instead of annoying about deficits. It is also important to maintain contact with friends, family and acquaintances. For those who feel socially isolated have a particularly high risk of mental illness.
Valuable support in "letting go" offer stress reduction techniques such as yoga, autogenic training or meditation. Through the exercises, sufferers can learn to recognize stress factors and manage stress better.
Stop often and enjoy cosiness
Last but not least, one should perhaps take the Danes as a role model. Because as the "Guardian" reported a few weeks ago, the people in Denmark are the most satisfied according to a study worldwide. Many Danes believe that this is mainly due to the lived kind of coziness, in Danish with the term
"Hygge" is described. Whether warm light, a cuddly sofa, delicious food or relaxed company with friends - Hygge describes a certain attitude to life, which is created by pausing and small pleasures in everyday life. (No)