Stress is an all-too-familiar term to us Singaporeans. In fact, one of our favourite catchphrases is "wah...very stress sia" when we are given more work to do. While healthy stress is beneficial, motivating, and gets us through the day, we should take extra care in noticing and mitigating excessive stress.
Are you relaxed, moderately stressed, or extra over-the-top stressed? Take the quiz to find out!
Disclaimer: this quiz is largely for entertainment purposes only
What is your sleep schedule like?
I cannot fall asleep/I stay up doing work instead
I have sufficient sleep
I sleep a bit too much/I am frequently tired
Oftentimes, a major sign of stress is an overworked mind. If you find yourself restless at night, it could be a sign that you are way too stressed. You should find an outlet to release stress instead. Try jogging and exercise!
Alternatively, if you find yourself sleeping a lot, it can also be a sign of unhealthy stress. Contrary to popular belief, people who spend long hours sleeping are not generically "lazy"! In fact, in response to stress, these people are rapidly using up the glucose in their brains to maintain their energy throughout the day. As a result, they often require more sleep to replenish their brains' glucose level.
A healthy sleep duration for working adults is around 6-8 hours a night. As for students, they should strive to attain at least 7-9 hours of sleep.
Does your diet mainly consists of...
A good mix of staples, protein and greens
A lot of sweet things/comfort foods
I skip meals occasionally
Another telltale sign of overwhelming stress is the lack of balance in one's daily diet. While many of us snack on the occasional KitKat bars and bubble tea, a consistent consumption of such foods are privy to revealing a deeper, larger concern of mental health, where one is seeking an outlet for release through sweets and binge eating.
On the other hand, a loss of appetite can also indicate excessive stress, where constant overthinking and anxiety results in adverse changes in the body's digestive tract.
Have you experienced any...
Headaches
Prolonged fatigue
Emotional outbursts
Irritation/Annoyance at trivial matters
All of the above choices are indications of a stressed mind. When the brain is under immense pressure, little things and slight noises are enough to drive you mad and frustrated. This often manifests into temper tantrums and a lot of pent up anger that results in migraines and restless nights. It is paramount that one fosters a sustainable hobby as an outlet to release one's daily stress to avoid inflicting harm on their loved ones.
Have you found yourself unable to focus or easily distracted?
Yes, I keep thinking about other things
Yes, I just feel tired when I have to do work
Yes, I am often distracted by little things
When under enormous stress, one may feel unmotivated to do the work they are tasked to do. This psychological phenomenon are often found in today's students who are prone to studying burnouts, resulting in their listless and distracted attitudes during class and while completing work.
A good mental getaway is definitely needed when focusing becomes a reoccurring issue, and a walk in good ol' nature will surely do the trick. You can also refer to my article on How to Study SMART in order to avoid burnouts and complete work productively!
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