When we use the term
"stress"
what we really mean is
strain"
(tension, anxiety, pressure, worry etc.) that you feel when faced with an unfamiliar or difficult situation, any major change, or an imbalance e.g. an imbalance between what you have and what you would like to have.
Please remember that it is not the difficult situation, the change or the imbalance, but how you react to it that determines the actual level of stress you end up experiencing.
The good news is that you can learn to react differently to any situation thereby minimizing your stress.
Stress by itself is not good or bad. Often it is stress that motivates us to a higher level of creativity and performance. However, too much stress
-- DISTRESS -- experienced over a long period of time has a negative effect on our health and effectiveness. People who are under a lot of stress may experience some physical, mental and/or behavioral symptoms:
Symptoms of Distress
Physical
Sleeplessness
Too much sleep
Shallow, rapid breathing
Oily skin
Cold hands & feet
Lack of interest
Fatigue
Racing heart
Tight, sore muscles
Back, neck and shoulder pain
Increased blood pressure
Chest Pain
Digestive problems
Grinding teeth
Excessive perspiration
Jaw Clenching
Mental
Anxiety attacks
Forgetfulness
Depression
Irritability
Impatience
Lack of interest
Sadness
Apathy
Worry
Poor concentration
Mental fatigue
Behavioral
Outbursts of anger
Crying too easily
Overeating
Fatty, sugary snacks
Excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs
Too much smoking
Isolation - avoiding social contact
Procrastination
Reckless driving
Poor hygiene
Poor performance
A combination of these symptoms experienced over a long period of time could lead to a growing list of stress related illnesses listed below. Experts claim that over 50% of all physician office visits in the
United States are stress related.
Stress Related Illnesses
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Heart attacks
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Obesity
Migraine & tension headaches
Insomnia
Diabetes
Ulcers
Asthma
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain)
Immune system diseases
Many types of cancers
Distressed people often adopt destructive, unhealthy approaches to managing their stress despite the potentially harmful effects. Be sure to see the article on
Destructive & Effective Stress Management.
