Stress is anything which possesses a threat or a challenge to our well being. The feeling which is created when we react to some particular event is known as stress. Stress is not a disease. Stresses are the events which aggravate stress. It is a normal physical reaction to actions which make you feel upset or threatened in some way.

Often, there can be different types of stress like work stress, parenting stress or relationship stress. Some stress can be linked to specific stages of life such as the teen years, pregnancy, aging,  or the menopausal transition. The following given can be factors for stress which sometimes can even be uncontrollable:

1. Medical illness
2. Family history of stress 
3. Financial or social problems
4. Lack of social support problems
5. Workplace issues
6. Personnel relationships
7. Inability to accept things as they are
8. Not having enough time
9. Failure to take out time and relax
10. Failure to see humor in situations

A body’s approach of shielding you is the stress response. It helps you to stay energetic, focused and alert when working properly. Stress response can also help you to rise to face and meet the challenges of your life.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

We develop a variety of psychological, behavioral and physical symptoms when we experience stress. Though stress is not a heart disease, we can experience speeding heart or pounding, when we are under stress as the stress hormones stimulate the heart to pump harder and beat faster so as to get more oxygen. The levels of stress hormones will fall down in our blood stream once the stress event has passed.

Even though we don’t realize it but stress symptoms can affect our health, our thoughts, our feeling and our behavior badly. Negative reactions to stress are divided into different categories -- cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional. Worrying, forgetfulness, thoughts of death, difficulty in concentrating on work or studies, poor attention to details, feeling helpless etc are some of the cognitive symptoms. The physical symptoms include backaches, headaches, fatigues, stomach cramps, chest tightness, loss of sexual interest, feeling a failure, feeling of fear, impatience, hostile, insomnia etc.  Cigarette smoking, drug use, lots of alcohol consumption, violence, weight loss or gain, overeating, relationship conflict, gambling, withdrawal from activities, etc are few of the behavioral symptoms. And the emotional symptoms include depression, moodiness, guilt, loss of motivation, anger, anxiety, weeping, poor self esteem, loss of motivation etc.

Bad Effects of Stress

Stress related tensions builds and the person becomes overworked as a result of stress. Stress can even worsen or bring on certain diseases or symptoms. Some studies even suggest that stress can sustain existing ulcers or influence someone to ulcers. The prolonged stress can irritate the large intestine, disrupt the digestive system and cause diarrhea, cramping, and bloating. Heart attacks and other heart related problems and even death in some cases can be a result of mental stress. Prolonged and severe stress may lead to depression in certain cases. Recognizing stress is a big problem but once recognized needed actions and treatments can be taken.

Treatment for Stress

Whatever are the causes for stress and whatever the stress level is, it needs to be treated without any delay as repeated stress can cause anxiety. The stress treatment can vary from one person to another depending on the symptoms of stress experienced and the severity of the symptoms. After the doctor identifies the medical causes of stress and there are several ways to cope up from stress like regular exercise program, meditation, acupuncture, yoga, healthy diet and nutrition habits, reassurance, counseling by qualified mental health professionals if required.

Stress Prevention

Certain steps can be taken to prevent stresses which are as follows:

• Take time management, stress management or anger management classes.
• You can opt for regular exercises, yoga or meditation.
• Healthy diet consumption can also be helpful.
• Set limits and realistic goals.
• Have a positive outlook.
• Participate in activities in which you enjoy and set time for them on regular basis.
• Reward yourself every day for the good deeds done by you.
• Take good sleep.
• If you take care of yourself, you’ll have more energy.
• Put your needs on your to do list.
• To manage your time in a better way.
• Make small changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
• Avoid unnecessary conflicts at home or workplace.
• Take time out and recharge your batteries
• Harness the power of laughter
• Avoid situations which take you under stress
• Welcome changes in life as challenges

As we have seen, there can be many causes for stress but stress can be prevented from occurring just by taking the above prevention steps.

• Written by Amit Mitra.
• In category Personal Care.
• 11 years ago.

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