Stress Reduction

Add as a preferred source on Google

What is stress?
A person's response to his environment is known as stress. Without stress a person cannot function. Measurement of stress is in terms of arousal or stimulation. A person's normal level of arousal is affected by adverse external influences.

In medical language it is a term used for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome. This term was first described by Hans Sely in 1936

Stress is of two kinds :
Eustress: When something changes for the better.
Distress: When something changes for the worse.

Stress has three degrees:
Low: This is distress leading to boredom, fatigue, frustration, or dissatisfaction.
Optimum: This is eustress leading to creativity, problem solving, progress, change, learning, and energetic satisfaction.
High: Esteem, and irrational problem solving.

Some Signs of stress

• Increased heart rate
• Friends' frequent comments to "slow down" or "chill out"
• Consistent insomnia
• Shallow breathing
• Flushed face
• Hands shaking irritability
• Stiff neck
• Extremely cold or warm hands
• Poor appetite, lack of sleep
• Lack of concentration
• Inability to stop thinking about something
• Feelings of helplessness
• Frequent careless mistakes on the job
• Excess weight gain or loss
• ANY thoughts of suicide

Reducing stress.
Identifying the stressors is the first step of reducing stress. Some common causes of stress are:

• Work
• Family
• Health concerns
• Unrealistic expectations
• Cynical and negative attitudes (thinking that things are always going to go badly or end badly)
• Sudden traumatic events.

Other sources of stress are:

• Fear of the new, the unknown
• Feelings of personal insecurity
• Feelings of vulnerability
• Fear of rejection
• Need for approval
• Lack of tolerance for ambiguity
• Fear of conflict
• Fear of taking a risk
• Fear of developing trust
• Fear of inability to cope with changed circumstances
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of over-responsibility
• Fear of loss of control
• Fear of failure, error, mistakes
• Fear of being judged
• Lack of belief in being good enough''
• Chronic striving to be perfect''
• Chronic guilt
• Unresolved grief over a loss or a series of losses
• Chronic anger, hostility, or depression
• A lack of adequate support within the relationship
• A lack of healthy communication within the relationship
• A sense of competitiveness between the parties involved
• Threats of rejection or disapproval between people

Tips to reduce stress.
Handling stress is very important as a stressed mind cannot function properly. De-stressing the mind and body will lead to utilizing the full potential of a person. Here are some ways to de-stress and relax.

• Delegating or sharing your responsibilities at work and at home
• Avoiding difficult colleagues, family members, and acquaintances
• Learning to be more assertive
• Doing regular exercise
• Not using drink or drugs to cope
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Finding humor or absurdity in stressful situations
• Never taking on more than you know you can cope with
• Organizing your time better to get as much done as possible
• Talking to friends or family and sharing your thoughts and fears
• Listening to music or relaxation tapes
• Tensing and then relaxing your muscles, starting at the toes and working up to the head and neck

All these tips definitely help reduce stress. De-stress and relax to enjoy life.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.