Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: Symptoms of Stress | 2 Comments »
Nowadays, it seems that everyone is in perpetual motion, emotionally as well as physically. People are working very long hours. They are raising families. They are getting educated. Whatever they do, stress is present in every situation. People are constantly facing the challenge of adjusting to the obstacles and challenges in their lives. The body makes use of its defenses for dealing with stressful situations naturally. Here is a list of the common stress indicators and stress symptoms.
The cognitive stress symptoms are memory loss or memory problems, concentration problems, bad judgment, inability to make every day as well as critical decisions, apprehension or nervousness, constant worry and persistent pessimism. The physical stress symptoms are back pain, insomnia, migraines/headaches, dizziness along with nausea, muscle tension and soreness in muscles, pimples/skin rashes and weight loss or weight gain as per personality. The occurrence of stress and cancer is interlinked. Chest pain stress is also a very common stress illness. The behavioral stress symptoms are changes in the patterns of eating and sleeping like not sleeping enough or sleeping a lot, throwing temper tantrums or overreacting to situations, neglecting work or family responsibilities, isolating oneself intentionally from others, developing twitches, ticks or other habits like nail biting showing nervousness and abuse of drugs, cigarettes or alcohol. The reactions to stress symptoms would vary as per the person. This list is not comprehensive. It is a general summary of symptoms related to stress. By studying statistics and conducting comprehensive research psychologists have found the principal causes of stress which are death of loved ones, incarceration, separation from loved ones including divorce, financial problems, wedding preparation, deadlines and issues related to work, retirement and marriage problems. In short, all the events that are life changing lead to stress signs. It is not easy coping with situations like these. But it is vital to take steps if you think you are dealing with too much stress since a long time. We have the ability to control our attitudes and behavior patterns. We should try to develop positive outlook and attitude in life. We also have to accept reality that nothing is permanent in life. We have to face change constantly. When we are not prepared for changes we get weighed down with stress. It might probably not be possible to prepare ourselves adequately for the sudden end of job or marriage or the death of a near and dear one but we can get ready for change normally which will make us capable of dealing with stress in the face of life changing events as and when we are hit by them.
There are many techniques for stress relief as well as stress management available today. They could be done while driving, at work or at home. The most effective among them are positive thinking, laughter, deep breathing and muscle relaxation. Research and also try out the techniques that you find most effective and use them in your daily life. You will then be able to combat the effects of stress successfully.
Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: Affect Health and body | 5 Comments »
Some recent studies prove that 90% of illnesses that people suffer from today are stress related. Stress is like a coin with 2 sides, bad and good. Moderate stress is ideal just as moderation is necessary with many things in our lives. For the answer to the question “How does stress affect health and body” you have to be aware of the natural function of this condition in day to day life.
Stress responses were needed by early man to live successfully. Life then was full of serious stressors like wild animals, clashes with neighboring tribes and hard life. The body reacts naturally to stress which prompts it to act. Stress is actually life saving, leading to fight or flight reaction. The reaction to things that cause body stress hypes up body tension so as to tackle those stresses. Stress can be beneficial to the body and also endanger it. How is health and body affected by stress? The body experiences physiological changes due to two kinds of stress. They are good stress and bad stress. An example of good stress is exercise. Muscles are stressed in order to build them. Signs of stress that last a short duration and do not offer continuous threat are looked upon as acute stress. Such stress could lead to mental confidence, increased strength and motivation. These are the beneficial effects of stress. A test day can be stressful for students. It can motivate them to study harder and do well. In extreme scenarios, one could develop extraordinary strength to deal with short term stress. Bad stress is a chronic long term situation and a menace that continues to exist leading to harmful effects on our body, for instance, development of heart disease. Stress that is chronic elevates hormones which in turn lead to hair loss. Chronic stressors like overweight and smoking affect the body in the long run. Chronic depression can also result in chemical changes. Some stress gives rise to alertness and motivation while too much of it can lead to illness and deterioration. The body is run down as it tries to overcome stress reactions. This could result in increase in blood pressure, weakening of the immune system, depression, skin problems and physical habits such as overweight, alcohol abuse and smoking. Chronic stress and anxiety can be dangerous for pregnancy as it could cause problems like low weight at birth, miscarriage, premature delivery and probable developmental deficiencies.
The physiological changes as a result of stress illness could be increased blood pressure and heart rate, blood and chemical changes in the skin and muscles, changes in the clotting of blood and increased flow of blood to brain and muscles. The other reactions could be lower functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, decreased sexual functions and lower immunity. These reactions could cause further stresses like fatigue, anger and depression. Stress and cancer are said to go hand in hand while the liver is affected negatively by stress, contributing to death of the liver cells and causing the advancement of liver disease.
Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: Chest Pains | 4 Comments »
Do you experience chest pain often? The main culprit could be stress and you are probably not aware of it. A lot of people tend to panic on experiencing pain in the chest but you have to understand that a burning sensation or stab to your heart need not always imply that you are experiencing heart attack. Of course, you should speak to a medical professional for proper diagnosis. Usually it might be chest pain stress. Honestly, many problems of body pain are due to stress. So, it might just be that you are spending too much time at work and not cardiac trouble.
It is commonly found that stress and anxiety are responsible for chest pain. You have to take time out to understand as well as tackle the issue if you want to decrease or do away with the chest pains forever. You might be suffering from angina. When sufficient blood is not pumping into the heart and you feel chest pain it is referred to as angina. This usually occurs when one has just finished working out or when one is very excited. Your lifestyle plays a major part here. If you smoke, are completely stressed out or do not work out, these things could result in angina. You can get rid of habits early on. After a point in time it becomes difficult to get rid of them. Do away with the habits that are harmful for health. Angina is not lethal but if not treated it could be a sign for heart disease. As mentioned above, chest pain is one of the stress symptoms. You would want to know how to deal with the situation. You have to look at the way you are living currently. That is very vital. Keep an eye on your stress levels. See what steps you can take to keep them at a comparatively low level. You could do meditation as is it known to be very effective in reducing the effects of stress. If it is not possible for you to stay still for more than a couple of minutes, you could take time out from your hectic schedule every now and then. Not everyone has the privilege to set out on a vacation for a week but you could walk out of your office and spend some minutes outside breathing in the fresh air. It is also very important to speak to your doctor. In case the pain in your chest is one of the signs of stress, the doctor might recommend that you make certain changes in your routine activities or take particular remedies to avoid getting the pain. This would give you stress relief.
You have to keep in mind that stress causes chest pain. It does not necessarily mean heart attack. This does not mean that you should take things lightly. You must take the advice of a doctor with regards to your discomfort and let them make an accurate diagnosis.
Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: Mental Effects, Physiological and Mental | 109 Comments »
Some effects of stress are not known as yet and are being debated. However, 80 to 90% of the doctors treat patients with ailments that are related in part to stress. Stress is known to cause panic attacks, anxiety, cancer, diabetes, diseases of the digestive tract, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and so on. One thing that is certain is that stress destroys the immune system. It affects people physiologically and mentally.
The mental effects are more subtle. Prolonged stress becomes more intense. If left untreated, it can result in all kinds of problems like panic attacks, depression and anxiety. People who are under stress and anxiety tend to get angry easily and are more hot blooded. They do not show interest in anything. People who show signs of stress find it difficult to concentrate. They are also not able to make decisions easily. The physical and psychological effects of stress have no relation. The brain is affected by stress first which then impacts the entire body. Two components of the brain, pituitary gland and hypothalamus, are most active during stressful times. They release the adrenocorticotropic hormone that stimulates adrenal gland present close to the kidney, which releases cortisol. This cortisol is called stress hormone as it is secreted in very high levels when the body is responding with flight or fight to stress. This hormone’s natural levels keep falling and rising throughout the day. As and when the levels rise, the body needs to be given time in order to return the levels to normal. If the stress response of the body is activated often and the body is not allowed to get back to normal it could lead to serious problems. The body would suffer from chronic stress. In case of high stress, it could lead to a very short attention span as well as lowered objectivity and memory recall along with other psychological problems. When dire thoughts gain an upper hand and race through the mind, the capacity to solve the daily challenges of life rationally diminishes. Often, it leads to anger, moodiness, feelings of discrimination and a variety of emotional consequences. The effects of chronic stress are detrimental. It usually results in anxiety, depression, fear of failing and feeling doomed. These effects are extreme and are in no way inevitable.
One has to focus on the main cause that leads to stress, evaluate the factors of stress realistically and have a perspective of the consequences so as to reduce stress and even eliminate it so that it does not become chronic. For example, if your boss is unreasonable and interacting with him stresses you out affecting your life as well as that of your family, you have to put matters in perspective. You have to keep in mind that work is disposable. Your family and health is not. It is possible to get stress relief with the help of knowledge, counseling, strength and courage. You should not take stress lightly. Everybody faces stress and everybody can beat it!
Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: causes stress | 2 Comments »
In 1967, Richard H. Rahe and Thomas H. Holmes from Washington University did research on the link between illness and major life events. They came up with a chart of the key causes of stress. Their chart had 43 causes in 1967. In 2006 the chart had 55 causes. It seems that society finds causes for feeling stress. If people knew the causes of stress and anxiety in their life, would they do something to get rid of them? Can stress be eradicated or it is inoperable so that you would bear its burden all your life, maybe causing your death eventually?
Let us look at some main causes of stress. Majority studies affirm that finances cause stress in most people. An online poll performed in 2005 had 23% of the respondents naming their finances as key causes of stress. In a number of modern polls, financial stress leads the list. Some of the people who name their finances as the key cause cite the big purchases to be made like a car or home. Others are worried by loss of earnings or escalating credit card dues. For few, their financial stress results in bankruptcy. College students tend to be stressed with regards to paying for their education. Elderly people are stressed by their retirement income. Work follows close at the heels of finances when it comes to causes of stress. Careers and jobs seem to generate constant stress. 21% listed work as a major stress cause. How can the workplace cause stress? Everyone worries about getting as well as keeping sufficient employment. People worry about new responsibilities or new kinds of work. They struggle in their careers as the demands overwhelm them. Conditions of work could change or there could be interpersonal trouble. Students blame school work for their stress. Sometimes others bring work stress into our lives while at times we ourselves bring it upon ourselves. Though every member of a family is wonderful, the family is also one of the main causes of stress. There might be arguments with a family member or spouse. Children marry. Parents divorce. An aging member might move in, children may move out. There is bound to be stress in a family. Family health also plays a role. A pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, serious injury, a sick member in the house all result in stress. Other kinds of family changes also bring stress. Adoption, job change or relocation for one member could stress everyone.
Personal concerns created indirectly by others are also a top cause. No control is at the top of the list. Every human wants control over their lives. When it is missing or weak in a particular area, we feel anxious. A lot of people are stressed as they have no control over their time. We all want to decide when we carry out the tasks at work or in the house. Having a job, participating in children’s carpool, driving the family to football practice, scout meetings, shopping while running a household can create a lot of stress. We all want to control our time instead of letting other’s demands gain control over it but this is not possible all the time.
Posted: June 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Stress | Tags: body, causes stress, Different Types of Stress, Effects, Health, Mental, Physiological, Relaxation Techniques, stress Relief., Stresses, Symptoms, Symptoms of Stress, Types of Stress | 2 Comments »
In today’s fast paced competitive world, we all face stress at frequent intervals in life. What is stress? Stress is a feeling of emotional and mental strain or tension distinguished by a feeling of anxiety or fear. You feel pressured or threatened by a reaction. Sometimes, we thrive under particular stressful circumstances however, at other times, the effects of stress become unbearable.
Stress is not always bad. Different types of stress exist. Some of them are necessary for motivating and improving us so that we reach higher levels. A particular kind of stress known as eustress is necessary as well as beneficial for an exciting, balanced life. This is the stress we experience while sky diving, in a rollercoaster, playing a game, falling head over heels in love, rushing to complete an urgent task and so on. Eustress makes people feel alive and vital. Acute stress is another kind of stress. It lasts for a short while. It could be positive like eustress or even distressing. It is the reaction to perceived threat that could be emotional, psychological or physical. The threat could be imagined or real. The awareness of threat is what triggers a response. The response of acute stress is reflex action as the body experiences enhanced levels of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol and others. This increases the heart rate, quickens the breathing rate and makes the blood pressure high. Blood is pushed to big muscles so that the body is prepared to run away or fight. Handling road rage is an example. Episodic stress is yet another kind of stress. It is rampant and a part of life. It creates chaos in life. We all come across people who lead lives that are a mess. For them every situation is a catastrophe. Chronic stress is a type that is inescapable and never ending like stress of taxing jobs or bad marriages. This stress is the most damaging for our well being and health. Chronic stress occurs when the body prepares itself for flight or fight responses in stressful situations. However, this is triggered continuously. The body is not able to attain its normal state because of the ongoing, continued pressures faced. People see the physical stress symptoms when they are suffering from chronic stress. The initial signs of stress are very mild such as chronic headaches, increased vulnerability to colds and so on. As the person is exposed to more chronic stress, it leads to the development of serious health issues.
Some of the conditions that are influenced by stress are depression, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder, gum and tooth disease, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, sexual dysfunction, ulcers and so on. Stress and cancer have a deep connection. Now that you are aware of the definition of stress as well as its effect on health, you could learn ways and take the right steps to manage stress better. This would help you to live longer and healthier!