Reignite The Spark

Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. It’s time to break the cycle with our wellness guide that helps revitalise you physically and mentally.

- Averlyn Lim

Do you recall the last time you weren’t feeling stressed? Feeling stressed has become as common as breathing and sleeping – and that’s obviously not ideal.

According to a report by Business Insider Malaysia, more than 70 per cent of people struggle with physical and psychological symptoms caused by stress. Meanwhile, research conducted by the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, reported in the Malay Mail, revealed a 50 per cent increase in depressed patients from 2011 to 2015 due to work and family stress.

“We are caught in a vicious cycle of overworking and, at the same time, cutting out sleep and rest days as we feel restless and want to get things done quicker,” says Alexia Kulterer, a yoga teacher and health coach.

“If the body doesn’t get appropriate rest, it switches to ‘fight and flight’ mode and, in this state, the sympathetic nervous system is at work most of the time. Your heart rate goes up, your digestive system doesn’t work properly, you cannot sleep well, and you feel exhausted and anxious.”

Unfortunately, people are working longer hours and even responding to work matters during weekends. For working mothers, the demands of family and children are added to the equation.