Do you use the word "stress" in your daily conversations? If so, you might be unintentionally amplifying your stress. Clinical psychotherapist Seth Swirsky, author of 21 Ways to Be Happier in Depression (21 Ways to a Happy Depression in the original French edition), explains to Well+Good: "Simply saying you're stressed can trigger a cascade of chemical reactions in the body and brain, ramping up stress even more. Your heart races, breathing quickens, blood pressure rises, clear thinking falters, and fear or anxiety surges."
The good news? Shifting your language habits can significantly lower stress. Ayurvedic doctor Pratima Raichur notes that our repeated words, beliefs, and intentions manifest physically in our lives and bodies. This taps into the brain's instinctive fight-or-flight response—ideal for true threats, but detrimental when triggered daily by the word 'stress.' Chronic stress contributes to issues like headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, and fertility challenges.
What if we eliminated 'stress' from our vocabulary altogether?
