Stop those pessimistic thoughts now if you want to avoid stress | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Stop those pessimistic thoughts now if you want to avoid stress

New Delhi | ByPTI
May 07, 2017 01:53 PM IST

A new study has found that negative thoughts play a major role in giving you stress and, thereby, adversely affecting sleeping and eating habits, reduction of productivity and an increase in self-criticism.

Has your mind been preoccupied with negative thoughts lately? Do you feel irritated time and again? A new study suggests that you might be suffering from stress.

People are breaking down under the pressures of highly competitive and demanding academic, professional and lifestyle factors, say experts.(Shutterstock)
People are breaking down under the pressures of highly competitive and demanding academic, professional and lifestyle factors, say experts.(Shutterstock)

Conducted by YourDost, an online counselling and emotional wellness portal, the study notes “negative thinking is one of the major symptoms of stress”.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

While highlighting that psychological issues like stress are often neglected and ignored, it reveals that in 50% cases ‘irritability’ and ‘pessimistic thoughts’ are indicative of the onset of stress, along with other manifestations in mannerisms like irregular eating and sleeping habits.

“41% of the participants felt their sleeping and eating habits changed when they were stressed. 39% of people showed temperament changes.

“Reduction of productivity was observed in 36%, while overwhelming feelings and self-criticism increased in about 35% of the participants,” says the study.

Attributing the rising levels of stress to changing lifestyles, psychologist Shruti Singhal says an incompatibility between personalities and environments also contributes towards increased stress levels.

“Stress levels are rising in every walk of life. We encounter daily cases of people breaking down under the pressures of highly competitive and demanding academic, professional and lifestyle stressors.

Negative thinking will add to your stress. Avoid it now. (Shutterstock )
Negative thinking will add to your stress. Avoid it now. (Shutterstock )

“In addition to that, the emotional and social fabric of the society has become very fragile. Issues like break ups, family/marital discord, loneliness have only added to the emotional breakdowns. Introversion and shyness in a social set up where extroverted characteristics are sought after,” she says.

The study also points out that “14% of India’s total population is in high-stress zone and needed expert intervention” and 58 per cent of these people are inclined to consult a counsellor.

“While only 6% of these stress-affected individuals actually talked to a psychologist, the rest 52 per cent resorted to listening to music and sleeping to de-stress themselves,” it says.

In another interesting finding, the study says that more number of women were stressed in the country compared to men, adding that ‘singles and unmarried people’ find it easier to cope with stress than married couples.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

Oscars 2024: Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On