The Stress Talk

Stress seems to be a part of every-day living. Stress involves all the systems of our body including the heart, lungs, digestive organs, brain, and blood vessels. The body senses danger and prepares for an attack. The danger may only be in the mind but the body begins preparations to defend against any sensed threat.

People can experience stress because of internal or external stressors. Internal stressors can include illness, or psychological stress. Internal stressors can be a worry about an event that has happened or they fear may happen. External stress would include having consistent money problems, trouble in a close relationship, working conditions, or even hot or cold temperature extremes.

Stress is also defined as short-term and long-term stress. Acute or short-terms stress can be something that is an immediate threat. The body prepares for a flight or fight response. Chronic or long-term stress can be any event that is on going. Sudden noise, crowds, being alone, danger, hunger, and being physically sick may cause acute stress.

Chronic stress may involve a poor working condition, on going family problems, isolation, and long term financial problems.

How does stress affect us? Stress may touch every part of our daily lives. Stress can make us overeat, not eat enough, cause us to not sleep or want to sleep all the time. Stress may cause physical problems such as high blood pressure, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and headaches.

Stress may be a condition that is unavoidable in today’s hectic lifestyle. If we are aware of the problems stress can cause, we may make the effort to control our “fight or flight” response to every day stress. Stress may be unavoidable in your life but there are steps you can take to relieve symptoms of stress you meet in every-day living. Learning what events or happenings, which are causing stress in your life, will help you in handling those stressors. After identifying causes of stress you will be able to take the steps to change the situation, or find other ways of coping.

Stress, especially chronic stress can be damaging and life threatening. Our body cannot handle being in the “fight or flight” mode for a long period of time without damage. Permanent damage can be done to the heart, lungs, immune system and virtually every part of the body. Stress is dangerous and stress can kill. Learning how to handle both acute and chronic stress may help you have a longer and healthier life.

There are a few simple actions you can take to battle stress. If you know that crowds cause you stress, go to public places when you know they won’t be crowded. If noise is one of your stressors, play quiet music while you are alone, and don’t go to high noise areas. Practice yoga techniques, exercise, and eat healthy. These will help you cope with both acute and chronic stress.

Taking steps to avoid the stressors you know affect you will help keep you healthier and your mind calmer.

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