Stress is part of being human, and it can help motivate you to get things done. Stress and constant worrying can feel like drowning in a sea of never-ending problems. Stress is persistent and starts affecting our daily functioning, including at work. Stress reduces over time as the situation improves or as they learn to cope emotionally with the situation. 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. Everything in the Quran is to help you with stress and anxiety. Reading or listening to the Quran while understanding its meaning. 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 is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. Stress affects both the mind and the body. Life is never a bed of roses. We suffer from heartbreak, pain, and calamity, any of which might drive us to stress. All this helps you deal more effectively with a high-stress situation. A little stress is good and can help us perform daily activities. Too much stress can cause physical and mental health problems. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

“Those who believed and find satisfaction their hearts in the remembrance (of) Allah. No doubt, in the remembrance of Allah find satisfaction the hearts.” (Surah Ar-Rad 13:28)

Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s what helped our hunter-gatherer ancestors survive, and it’s just as important in today’s world. It can be healthy when it helps you avoid an accident, meet a tight deadline, or keep your wits about you amid chaos. We all feel stressed at times, but what one person finds stressful may be very different from what another finds stressful. Stress should be temporary. Once you’ve passed the fight-or-flight moment, your heart rate and breathing should slow down and your muscles should relax.

Here are some levels of stress that may wave out negative impact:

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 down in achieving goals
15. Stress affects everybody differently
16. Stress can impact mental performance
17. Stress may even make it difficult to breathe
18. Stress is a hormonal response from the body
19. Stress increases your risk for type 2 diabetes
20. Stress develops chronic high blood pressure 
21. Stress develops to decrease your immune system
22. Stress is an integral part of your work or home life

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts long, it may harm your health. Allah was aware of the specific circumstances of the situation and did not respond to the opposition’s words. Allah says:

وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ

“And We wanted to bestow a favour upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them the inheritors” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:5)

Stress is a natural response to challenges or demands that individuals face characterized by physical, emotional, and mental tension. It signals that the body and mind are responding to perceived threats or pressures, prompting people to take action to cope with or adapt to the situation. In everyday life, stress plays a significant role in motivating individuals to overcome obstacles, achieve goals, and navigate various challenges.

Manage and identify the causes of stress in your life:

• Replace unhealthy coping strategies with healthy ones
• Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good
• Pinpointing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
• Lack of sleep can also add to your stress level
• Avoid hot-button topics, if you get upset
• Thinking positively can work miracles
• Focus on the things you can control 
• Take perspective of the stressful situation
• Avoid people who cause stress in your life
• Make to break the cycle of negative thoughts
• Reframe problems and see a positive perspective
• Look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses
• Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks
• Reach out and connect to people who make you feel good

Stress affects numerous systems within us, including our metabolism, memory, and immune system. While small amounts of positive stress can help us perform better, the key is that this stress is brief. Acute and prolonged stress may lead to long-term health problems and exacerbate existing conditions. Feel relief from stress and the hardships of life by relaxing your mind and heart.

Here are some signs and symptoms of each type of stress:

• Pupil dilation: As part of the fight-or-flight reaction,
• Perspiration: When we are stressed, our body temperature rises, which causes us to sweat more.
• Anxiety: This is the feeling of worry and fear that results from exposure to a stressor.
• Emotional ups and downs: In other words, irritability and mood swings.
• Poor sleep: Our sleep is often disrupted by our anxiety and the cocktail of hormones produced by the fight-or-flight reaction.
• Muscle tension: This is meant to help our bodyguard against injury and pain.
• Feeling overwhelmed: This is the feeling of not being able to cope nor able to visualize effective solutions to the causes of your stress.
• Migraines: These are often the result of muscle tension.
• Hypertension: Most people will be unaware of having high blood pressure.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling and staying asleep, often resulting in not feeling rested from whatever sleep you did get.
• Panic attacks: Sudden onset of feelings of fear and anxiety accompanied by the symptoms of acute stress.
• Chronic headaches: Frequently occurring tension headaches are generally defined as occurring more than 15 days a month.
• Anxiety disorders: Anxiety disorders can manifest as an inability to control our emotional responses to situations.
• Depression: Depression often presents as persistent feelings of helplessness and low self-worth.
• Digestive problems: Stress can affect the speed with which food moves through our intestines. This can cause several digestive conditions.
• Heart disease: When chronic stress results in prolonged periods of heightened adrenaline and cortisol levels, there can be serious consequences for your heart.

Stress is a natural part of life, too much stress can harm our health, especially if it continues daily. This is chronic stress and can put you at risk for heart problems like heart disease and depression. Stress is a biological response to a perceived threat. It’s caused by chemicals and hormones surging throughout your body. It can help you respond to a particular problem, but too much can harm your health. Stress triggers your fight-or-flight response to fight the stressor or run away from it.

The stress hormone plays an essential role, here are some ways to fight it:

• Exercise: Engaging in regular physical exercise is an excellent way to help manage your stress.
• Utilize mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation are relaxation techniques that can be practised anywhere.
• Try therapy and coaching: Professional therapy and coaching can help us develop stress management techniques.
• Time management: Good time management provides us with time to do positive, nurturing things for ourselves.
• Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature can be very therapeutic.
• Eat healthily: Maintaining a nutritious diet ensures that we are getting the right nutrients.
• Spend time with friends and family: Connections with close friends and family, we develop a social support network.

Stress can have significant impacts on both physical and mental health. Physically, it can lead to headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system. Mentally, it can cause anxiety, depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. Long-term stress increases the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and mental health disorders. A person who suffers from stress has intense negative feelings such as hopelessness, sadness, or despair that interfere with their daily activities. The Quran can buffer the impact of life’s difficulties, trials, and internal conflicts on stress.

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: 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: We need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities.
• 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.
• Learn to Say No: One way to do this may be to say “no” more often. Saying no is one way to control your stressors.

The Holy Quran offers several verses that provide comfort and reassurance in times of stress:

• “For indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Quran 94:5)
• ” If you are thankful, I will give you more.” (Quran 14:7)
• “Allah burdens not a soul beyond its capacity.” (Quran 2:286)
• “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest.” (Quran (13:28)
• “When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” (Quran 3: 159)
• “Do good to others, surely Allah loves those who do good to others.” (Quran 2:195)
• “Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows best who is righteous.” (Quran 53:32)

Stress is a recurring condition in our lives. But it doesn’t need to become a long-term problem. Don’t be too hard on yourself. By developing good habits and stress management techniques, we can reduce the chances of suffering from the long-term health impacts of stress. The Quran are valuable reading during stress and anxiety, as their meanings and messages can help alleviate stress and depression. Most of us manage stress well and continue to function. God revealed the Quran as a guide to mankind.