Fuel Prices Are Up, and So Is Stress: Here’s What It’s Doing to Your Health

Fuel is now 1,100 Naira per litre.The price of everything else has followed suit, and even the “no wahala” people are starting to show signs of wahala. And in the middle of all this, someone tells you not to stress. Seriously?
Let’s be real for a moment: stress is practically everywhere. It’s that uninvited guest that pops up whether you’re at work, in traffic, or just trying to buy suya without breaking the bank. And while we can’t always avoid stress (because, well, life), we need to understand the damage it’s doing behind the scenes.

Stress: The Not-So-Silent Killer
You might think stress is just an emotional state, but your body doesn’t see it that way. Whenever you stress, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode. Sounds cool, right? Except you’re not fighting a tiger—just trying to manage that blinking empty fuel light on your car dashboard. And here’s the thing: your body doesn’t know the difference.
When stress hormones like cortisol get released, they do more than just make you feel jittery. These bad boys also release free radicals, which can damage cells. leading to issues like hypertension, weakened immunity, and even increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes. In short, they’re doing more harm than good.

The Snowball Effect
Let’s say you’re stressed about work or money (who isn’t?). This causes your blood pressure to spike, which, over time, can lead to heart problems. Now imagine treating hypertension or any other stress-related illness in times like these. Yeah, it’s like adding fuel to an already blazing fire. Instead of just dealing with stress, you’re now also dealing with health issues caused by stress. It’s the worst buy-one-get-one-free deal you could imagine.

Why Stress Management is Key
As an advocate for preventive medicine, here’s the hard truth: stress is inevitable, but how we handle it can make all the difference. To relieve stress, regular exercise helps release mood-boosting endorphins, while mindfulness and meditation offer mental calmness, and getting enough sleep is essential for better stress management. Connecting with loved ones provides emotional support, and engaging in hobbies allows you to relax and unwind. Practicing gratitude helps shift your focus to the positives in life, and setting boundaries ensures you don’t overcommit yourself. Laughter is a great way to relieve tension, and relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing also help. Finally, limiting caffeine and alcohol can prevent added stress, keeping your mind and body in better balance.

As an added advantage, shop Pharmplug’s stress management wellness pack off the website.

So, while we can’t change our environment, we can control how we manage the stress that comes with it. Be Health Smart!