Stress leads to muscle tension which can lead to headaches. It also triggers the release of certain chemicals within your body which can lead to migraines. There is no running away from it. All that matters is how you deal with it. If you feel depressed, you are not alone. It’s normal to feel stressed or anxious occasionally, but you can do many things to feel a bit better. Stress is our response to situations in our life that we experience as worthy of anxiety. Allah says:

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا 

“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” (Surah At-Talaq 65:3)

Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity and religion, no one is immune to the burdens of stress. Statistics demonstrate the widespread prevalence of this state of mind. While stress is a significant problem. The rest of the world is not immune to its harmful effects. Stress is a global problem.  Acute stress disorder affects as many as half of all people exposed to a serious or life-threatening stressor. Allah says:

قَدْ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ الْمُعَوِّقِينَ مِنكُمْ وَالْقَائِلِينَ لِإِخْوَانِهِمْ هَلُمَّ إِلَيْنَا وَلَا يَأْتُونَ الْبَأْسَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

“Allah knows those who hinder among you and those who say to their brothers, “Come to us,” and not they come (to) the battle except a few.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:18)

Stress-related pressures in your daily life can be referred to as acute stress. Remember: there’s a difference between feeling stressed now and then, and experiencing ongoing anxiety. If the stress or anxiety is starting to take a toll and you’re looking for ways to deal with anxiety, consider talking to a mental health professional. Allah says:

فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا

“Then how will you guard yourselves, if you disbelieve, a Day (that) will make the children grey-haired?” (Surah Al-Muzammil 73:17)

Women are more likely to experience more physical signs of stress compared to their male counterparts. Although stress and anxiety may arise in your workplace and personal life, there are many simple ways to reduce the pressure you feel. These tips often involve getting your mind away from the source of stress. Gratitude may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life.

The signs and the causes of stress, some of the common are:

1. Stress can overburden your mind with incessant worries
2. Stress can make your digestive system go haywire
3. Stress increases anxiety, nervousness and worry
4. Stress is a nearly universal human experience
5. Stress can make you irritable, and even angry
6. Stress is controlled by your nervous system
7. Stress can keep you from sleeping at night
8. Stress crops up chronic headaches
9. Stress triggers irritability and anger
10. Stress is bad for your heart
11. Stress can affect anyone
12. Stress can make you feel hot
13. Stress can be acute or chronic
14. Stress affects everybody differently
15. Stress can impact mental performance
16. Stress may even make it difficult to breathe
17. Stress is a hormonal response from the body
18. Stress increases your risk for type 2 diabetes
19. Stress develops chronic high blood pressure 
20. Stress develops to decrease your immune system

Stress and constant worrying can feel like you’re drowning in a sea of never-ending problems. You may be able to grasp in a breath of air but soon you’ve pushed beneath the surface again, nearly unable to stay afloat feeling the weight of so much worry heavily overtaking your mind. Despite feeling powerless, realize that you can regain control of your life and your anxiety. Allah says:

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَابَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ 

“How many are the creatures that carry not their sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:60)

Stress is anything that causes mental, physical, or spiritual tension. Have you ever noticed that feeling stressed or anxious often coincides with dwelling on the past or worrying about the future? Simply focusing your mind on the present moment can help you feel a little more relaxed. You might be surprised to know there are lots of ways to do this, even if you don’t like meditating. No one can harm you except if Allah will.

Stress is something that affects everybody from time to time:

• Seek help through Sabr: “Seek help through Sabr and Salat”. (Quran 2:45)
• God controls Life and Death: If you fear for your physical safety and security, remember that only Allah gives life and takes it back and, that He has appointed the time for it. 
• Ask Him. He Listens, Dua: Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua. God listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants you to ask Him for what you want.
• Remember that human responsibility is limited: While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, always remember that you don’t control the outcome of events.
• Spend Time With Friends and Family: Having strong social ties may help you get through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety.
• Focusing your thoughts: Keeping a journal can help relieve stress and anxiety, especially if you focus on the positive.
• Laughter intervention: Find the humour in everyday life, spend time with funny friends or watch a comedy show to help relieve stress.
• Stay on top of your priorities: Prioritize what needs to get done and make time for it. Staying on top of your to-do list can help ward off procrastination-related stress.
• Learn to Say No: One way to do this may be to say “no” more often. This is especially true if you find yourself taking on more than you can handle, as juggling many responsibilities can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Try not to take on more than you can handle. Saying no is one way to control your stressors.

Stress is a natural reaction to a threatening situation and enables us to react quickly in the face of danger. It can also help to motivate us to make positive changes in our lives and get things done. However, when we are stressed regularly, both physical and emotional symptoms can start to occur. Stress is one of the leading causes of insomnia, making falling asleep difficult or causing you to wake up during the night.

How to Deal with Depression and Anxiety According to Quran:

• “For indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Quran 94:5)
• “When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” (Quran 3: 159)
• “And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.” (Quran 40: 60)
• “And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing mercy, except those who have no faith.” (Yusuf 12:87)
• “Verily Allah does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves.” (Quran 13: 11)

Stress has many different symptoms and not everybody will experience it in the same way. When we are faced with danger, our central nervous systems switch into “fight or flight” mode. Our heart rates increase, blood vessels become narrower, and we become more mentally alert. These changes in our bodies prepare us for swift action, to either face the threat head-on or run away. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ 

“O you who believe! Resort to patience and prayer; surely, Allah is with the patient.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153)

Stress is also responsible for reducing your ability to concentrate, and make decisions and can even make you more forgetful. When you have a busy schedule, your mental performance suffers. It sounds weird, but facing the things that make you stressed can reduce your worry. You can test whether the situation is as bad as you expect, and learn to manage your fears. Allah says:

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ 

“Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny Me not.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:152)

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your stress levels down. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, taking regular exercise and using various relaxation techniques can all help to reduce stress and improve your physical and emotional well-being. Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results, Alhamdulillah. He is happy if He finds us making our best sincere effort. Thank you, Allah!