Things you should know about stress

What is Stress

Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur. It can respond to these changes physically, mentally, or emotionally.

The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. Even positive life changes such as a promotion, a mortgage, or the birth of a child produce stress.

Stress affects everyone
Not all is bad
Long-term stress can harm your health
There are many ways to manage stress
If you’re overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health professional.

Why are you Stress??

How Stress Affects Your Health

The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated, and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between stressors. As a result, the person becomes overworked, and stress-related tension builds. The body's autonomic nervous system has a built-in stress response that causes physiological changes to allow the body to combat stressful situations. This stress response, also known as the "fight or flight response", is activated in case of an emergency. However, this response can become chronically activated during prolonged periods of stress. Prolonged activation of the stress response causes wears and tear on the body – both physical and emotional.
Health Problems Related to Stress

Heart disease.
Asthma.
Obesity
Diabetes
Headaches
Depression and anxiety
Gastrointestinal problems
Alzheimer's disease
Accelerated aging
Premature death

Warning Signs

Chronic stress can wear down the body's natural defenses, leading to a variety of physical symptoms, including the following:

Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it."
General aches and pains.
Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.
Headaches.
Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.
Increase in or loss of appetite.
Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders.
Problems sleeping.
Racing heart.
Cold and sweaty palms.
Tiredness, exhaustion.
Trembling/shaking.
Weight gain or loss.
Upset stomach, diarrhea.
Sexual difficulties.

Tips: Reducing Stress

People can learn to manage stress and lead happier healthier lives. You may want to begin with the following tips:

Keep a positive attitude.
Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Learn to manage your time more effectively.
Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
Make time for hobbies and interests.
Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love.
Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn more healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.