Katerina Tiapula
Multitasking can be dangerous for your health
Multitasking is when you do many things at once. It may be an accepted method of dealing with the amount of work that needs to be done but it is not without risks. Some mothers put themselves under more pressure than they can handle. It is generally not one particular stress but a combination of many piled up. Although each chore may be small, the addition of each chore creates stress that piles up and can cause damage.
Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our normal daily activity. When faced with a threat, whether to our physical safety or emotional equilibrium, the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” response. This is what gets us, for example, out of the way of the moving bus. It keeps us alert and gives an extra boost of energy (adrenalin) when needed. It is a biological response that protects us. The sensations are heart pounding in the chest, muscles tensing up, breath coming faster, and every sense is on red alert.
Is it bad for you? No, but the body can only sustain this level of adrenalin and high alert for short periods of time. Too much stress for prolonged periods can be harmful to the body.
Multitasking, although it seems harmless does create a stressful situation for your body.
Yes, you can multi-task. No, you should not do it all the time. It creates highly stressful situations and if these prolonged periods of stress happen too frequently, you will find that you will be anxious, irritable and suffer from a lack of concentration. There can be a feeling of constant worry and anxiety. It can interrupt your sleeping habits, cause headaches and lower your immunities making you more susceptible to viruses. You may find that you are grinding your teeth, over-eating or under-eating, isolating yourself, overreacting to unexpected problems or reverting to nervous habits such as nail biting or pacing.
Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to heart problems, ulcers, depression and other illnesses.
Exercise helps relieve stress.
It sounds strange. Take time out of an already busy day and use energy that you already feel short of, to make you feel less stressed?! BUT IT DOES! Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Nothing beats exercise (30 minutes of aerobic exercise, three times per week) for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
Exercise releases endorphins into the brain and these endorphins make you feel happy and help combat mental fatigue. “Spend energy to have more energy” and “you don’t have the energy to NOT work out” says Dr. Bost in his book ‘The Hurried Woman Syndrome’. He writes on a syndrome he has researched and coins ‘the hurried woman’ syndrome which defines the problems many women face from prolonged exposure to stress. He feels it is a precursor to depression and that many women live on the borderline of depression. He recommends regular exercise as part of a regime to reducing stress and creating a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise releases endorphins into the brain combating the depressed feelings and moodiness but it also increases your metabolism. An increased metabolism will keep your body working properly instead of gaining and losing weight irregularly. This irregular weight gain frequently compounds a mother’s stress and depression. Exercise also relieves pent up muscle tension and provides an outlet for anger and hostility. The exercise you choose can offer you solitude, meditation time or even a social outlet that is needed.
What exercise is best for reducing stress?
Whatever form of exercise you do, it should be enjoyable. If you involve yourself in a negative exercise it will only reinforce your depressed feeling towards your life and increase stress. If you like salsa, then dance! If you like climbing, climb! Perhaps it would be most beneficial to spend a month experimenting with different forms of exercise so that you can find the one that suits you and your lifestyle best.
While looking for the right exercise, remember that activities performed at a long slow steady interval seem to have a calming effect. Walking, jogging, aerobics, swimming, climbing, and dancing are in this category – these are aerobic activities. Weight lifting, sprinting, sport climbing and isometrics are anaerobic activities. They are not calming to the body but give a boost and are fantastic for increasing the feelings of power and confidence. Cross training in both aerobic and anaerobic exercise is advised to increase variety in workouts while encouraging feelings of both powerfulness and tranquility.
Exercise at least three times a week to reduce stress and stay fit. Ideally, physical activity of some kind everyday is best to combat daily stresses but it is not always possible. Find as many ways to do physical activities within your daily routine. It is better for your fitness level to increase frequency, even if you work out for shorter intervals.
The activities of choice should promote confidence and satisfaction. When I play tennis with my husband (who is levels ahead of my abilities) I spend my time feeling embarrassed. This only increases my internal stress. In fact, I find even the prospect stressful days before the tennis game. I found a few friends that are fun and equal in ability or who meet to chat and we do not even keep score. I get my workout and no stress is involved.
Competitions are also highly stressful for some people and do not promote happy feelings but add on to the already stressful lifestyle. If this is you, do not worry, just find another sport.
When all else fails… remember that sexual activity is a great exercise too. Orgasms are a great release of muscular and emotional tension. Like other forms of physical activity, make sure it is fun, healthy and not stressful.
Stress cannot be taken too lightly. Get up, get out there and boost your energy levels today.
