Calming Down: An Introduction to Stress and Some Stress Management Tips

PinkZ Resty

According to the dictionary, the word stress means: ‘to be subjected to pressure or strain, a mentally disruptive or disquieting influence'. A situation that causes pressure or strain is called a stressor. The stress that we all experience at various times in our lives is expressed through different emotions, such as anxiety, anger, frustration, depression or even excitement, and affects us physically. In order to cope with stress, it is important to understand how stress affects the body and to familiarize oneself with the various types of stress.

When we are under stress, our bodies respond with the ‘fight or flight' response. Researchers believe that this reaction is an ancient response that has allowed humans to survive as a species since prehistoric times. We know that the human brain responds to stress (both real or imagined) by sending signals to the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus in turn activates the stress response by stimulating the nervous system. Finally, the nervous system creates changes in the body that get us ‘pumped up' to either stand and fight, or run away.

 Stress tampers with the body's effectiveness. The unhealthy effects of being chronically stressed result from a variety of physiological changes. As part of our response to stress, adrenaline and other hormones are released. Over time, these hormones may inhibit digestion, growth, and tissue repair, as well as the effectiveness of our immune and inflammatory systems.

Stress makes illness worse. Most illnesses are made worse by stress. Some illnesses particularly affected by stress are: Cancer ,Diabetes ,Arthritis ,Coronary heart disease, Stomach ulcers, Tension headaches, Asthma, Hypertension and AIDS.

Not everyone who experiences high levels of chronic stress becomes physically ill, but stress can be a contributing factor in exacerbating physical ailments. One recent study indicated that workers reporting a high level of stress had 46 percent higher health costs. The following are some suggestions to cope with stress:

1.Recognize when it happens
2. Modify what you say to yourself
3. Learn to use relaxation exercises
4. Learn a breathing exercise
5. Learn a muscle exercise
6. Learn a relaxation exercise
7. Mentally prepare for ‘stressors

8. Express your feelings and needs