Healing Path with Gargi

What is Stress?

Stress is a very common word these days. It’s the reaction of our body and mind when faced with challenging situations—like work pressure, tight deadlines, a traumatic event, or an unexpected unpleasant situation.

Everyone responds to stress differently, but broadly, our reactions fall into three categories: fight, flight, or freeze.

Stress also feels different for everyone. For one person, it may be a loud scolding; for another, it may be losing a job or a loved one. There’s no fixed measure of what “counts” as stress—it’s deeply personal.

A little stress isn’t always bad—it can push us to finish tasks or test our limits. But when stress lingers, it eats away at us, slowly and silently, like an insect hollowing out wood from the inside. Over time, stress poisons the body, weakens immunity, and affects normal functioning until the system begins to fail.

Signs of Stress in the Body

Everyone experiences stress differently, but here are the top 5 physical signs of stress:

1. Shivering or shaking – Hands or legs may tremble during tense moments, like before a presentation or a difficult conversation. It feels as if you’ve lost control.
2. Shallow or fast breathing – Stress automatically changes breathing. You may breathe too quickly or feel unable to take a deep breath. Notice how your breath shortens in a traffic jam or when someone suddenly puts you on the spot?
3. Increased heart rate – When breathing speeds up, the heart also races. This strains the cardiovascular system. For example, before speaking in public or during an argument, your heart beats faster—it’s your body preparing to handle pressure.
4. Indigestion or irregular bowel movements – Stress directly affects the digestive system. Some people overeat or crave sweets and spicy foods, while others feel bloated or uneasy in the stomach. Over time, this can lead to indigestion or irregular bowel habits.
5. Hormonal imbalance – Stress disturbs hormonal balance, causing mood swings, low energy, and even reproductive health issues. For example, women may face irregular periods, while men may feel irritable for longer periods.

Signs of Stress in the Mind

Here are the top 5 mental signs of stress:

1. Brain fog or numbness – The mind feels blank and unable to process information. For example, sitting at your laptop but forgetting what you were about to do.
2. Mental sluggishness and blocked creativity – Ideas don’t flow easily, and problem-solving feels harder. Even simple decisions can feel overwhelming.
3. Fear or feeling unsafe – Extreme stress can create fear and insecurity. You may avoid calls, emails, or even meeting people because it feels too much. Simple decisions like traveling or commuting may also feel unsafe.
4. Overthinking – The mind keeps replaying situations or jumps rapidly between thoughts without pausing. A stressful or unpleasant experience may trigger endless “what ifs” and “why did I say that?” loops.
5. Insomnia or poor sleep – A restless nervous system makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Even if you sleep, you may wake up tired because your mind was busy running through worries and responsibilities.

Why Stress Lingers

When stress appears, the body activates the natural fight, flight, or freeze response. This is helpful in emergencies. But when the body stays in this mode for too long, it becomes exhausting.

Eventually, the body may adapt to this constant “emergency mode” and accept it as normal. Over time, the nervous system loses its intelligence to recognize a real emergency. That’s when energy, resilience, and coping capacity break down—making us more vulnerable.

Simple Daily Practices to Manage Stress (5–10 minutes)

• Take a barefoot walk in a garden or by the sea, observing nature around you without any devices.
• Watch the sunrise in the morning or sunset in the evening.
• Sit in silence for 5 minutes and practice deep breathing—inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth, and release stress with each breath.
• Journal your thoughts. Write freely in a notebook, especially before bedtime.
• Take a warm water bath or soak your feet in warm water with bath salts for 5 minutes.

These small habits help calm the nervous system, bring you into the present moment, and build resilience against stress.

How Yoga Helps Manage Stress and Build Resilience

Yoga is more than movement (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation. It’s a spiritual practice that aligns us with nature and deepens self-awareness. With consistent practice, yoga can:

• Relax the nervous system
• Improve breathing and circulation
• Build physical and mental stamina
• Release tension, stress, and emotional burdens
• Bring clarity and calmness
• Enhance presence of mind

Final Note

Stress is a common part of modern life, but it doesn’t have to control us. By noticing its signs and practicing simple stress management techniques like yoga, we can regain peace, energy, and focus.

Through my Yoga sessions, I guide individuals to gently release tension, calm the nervous system, and restore clarity and presence of mind. These sessions are designed to help you manage stress in daily life, improve energy, and reconnect with yourself.

For leaders, HR professionals, or corporate teams, I also offer a Yogic Reset Program for Corporate Minds — a practical, holistic approach to reduce stress, enhance focus, boost productivity, and foster a healthier work environment.

Whether you’re looking to pause, reset, or build long-term resilience, Yoga can help you and your team thrive, even amidst the pressures of modern life. 

Stress is like an insect that slowly eats wood—silently hollowing us from the inside