Stress: causes and relief

Stress is a normal part of life, and most of us experience it on a regular basis; but when it becomes overwhelming, stress relief is necessary to help you maintain your physical and emotional health. Stress is what happens when you are faced with situations or events that are difficult to cope with; the stress response is essentially our “fight-or-flight” response which allows us to react quickly to a threatening situation. When we are stressed, our bodies produce high levels of adrenalin and cortisol; these hormones speed up the heart, cause more blood to be routed to the large muscle groups, temporarily reduce the pain response, and cause heavier-than-normal breathing (to increase oxygen in the blood). A small amount of stress is actually helpful, because it can increase our ability to react more quickly or work harder. But high levels of stress over a long period of time can be extremely damaging. In the short term, you may experience nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, or trouble sleeping. Over time, you may develop more serious symptoms; prolonged stress can cause impaired immune system function, heart disease, depression, and anxiety, which can severely reduce your quality of life.

What are some effective stress management techniques? The most important step is to identify the cause of the stress and eliminate it, if at all possible. Exercising, avoiding cigarette smoking and drug use, and practicing a stress reduction technique such as yoga can help you to cope with the stress in your everyday life.

What is post traumatic stress disorder? Often referred to as PTSD, this often occurs after an individual experiences a traumatic or life-threatening event, such as personal assault, warfare, or a serious accident. Symptoms generally appear six months to a year after the event, and include anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and heightened reactions.

What are the most common stress symptoms? People dealing with chronic stress often experience problems with headaches, upset stomach, nausea, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Moodiness and irritability are also common, and may affect performance at work and school. Personal relationships may suffer as a result of stress, as well.

How can I identify some common stress causes? Often, the source of stress is fairly obvious; financial difficulties, illness, job-related problems or the death of a loved one are all common sources of stress. However, any life-changing event (even positive ones such as a move to a new home or an upcoming marriage) can be stressful.

How can I make myself feel better? Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce the effects of stress. Exercise and a healthy diet are tremendously important; many people also find writing to be very helpful. Talk to a close friend or family member; you may want to consider counseling for stress relief.