STRESS

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STRESS

Stress affects us all. It is a feeling of physical or emotional anxiety that


can come from any incident or thought that frustrates, upsets, or makes
you anxious. Uncontrolled stress may lead to various health problems
such as hypertension, heart conditions, obesity, and diabetes. The first
step is to understand the causes and effects of stress, as well as the
symptoms of anxiety.

Stress and anxiety are inter-related. Stress is the body’s reaction to a


threat (often an external cause), whereas anxiety is the body’s reaction
to the stress (often internally, even if the threat is gone).
Anything that induces stress is called a stressor, and it is these
stressors that you need to be on the lookout for; stressors can come
from a variety of sources.

Stressors: The Causes of Stress


Stressors are events or conditions in your environment that cause
stress. In fact, any time you make quick changes or adjustments in
your life, this can lead to anxiety and stress. These events may
include managing a significant life occurrence, like changing jobs or
moving to a new community. Or it may be coping with more serious
events, like a family illness.

Even small actions like worrying about the economy or personal


finances can contribute to stress. Or a combination of daily tasks can
be stressors. When you handle multiple roles and duties at the same
time – such as being a spouse, a parent, and the family’s
breadwinner – daily life can be a significant source of anxiety.

Our modern lives are particularly prone to the causes and effects of
stress. Being overwhelmed by technologies such as mobile phone
calls, e-mails, and texts all play a role as stressors.

The Long-Term Effects of Stress


When faced with stress, your body releases hormones. These
hormones cause changes in your body. For example, your blood
pressure may rise, your heart may pound, and your stomach may
become tense. Over time, this stress reaction leads to more serious
conditions like hypertension and heart disease.

Make no mistake about it: Stress will affect your well-being. Through
the years, you can experience some of these symptoms:

 Physical – Recurrent colds or pneumonia, nausea, sleeping


difficulties muscle spasms, skin problems, acid reflux disease
 Mental – Poor concentration, forgetfulness, learning problems,
recurrent negative thoughts, speech problems
 Emotional – Panic attacks, distress, rage, mood swings, impudence,
sense of hopelessness, issues with relationships
 Behavioral – Eating terribly, driving carelessly, abusing drugs or
alcohol, being prone to accidents, and violence

Oftentimes, when the symptoms of stress interfere with work, job


performance and relationships, this is already called as anxiety.
Anxiety occurs when stress symptoms interfere with job and
relationships.

How To Protect Yourself from Stress


Controlling our emotions is difficult, particularly if these emotions are
overwhelming. That’s why the list below can somehow help an
individual relieve the causes and effects of stress.

1. Exercise – This can sound contradictory, but placing physical


stress into exercise may relieve mental stress.
2. Consider Supplements – Some supplements (herbs called kava
kava and valerian) help relieve stress and anxiety. However,
before taking any medicine, consult your doctor.
3. Chew Gum – Chewing gum can help you relax, according to
several studies. It can also promote well-being and decrease
stress.
4. Take a Yoga Class – For stress reduction, man around the world
practice yoga. It has been found to lead to lower blood pressure
and lower levels of stress hormones.
5. Spend Time with Your Pet – Spending time with your pet is a
soothing and fun way of decreasing stress.
6. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake – In general, caffeine makes
anxiety worse. Cut down or stop drinking coffee and other
sources of caffeine.
7. Spend Time with Friends and Family – Strong social relations
will help you to cope with stress and reduce the risk of anxiety.
8. Listen to Soothing Music – Listening to music can be a perfect
way to reduce stress.
9. Deep Breathing – Concentrating on your breathing will teach you
to breathe differently.

Stress and anxiety can occur at work and in your personal life, but
there are many easy ways to minimize pressure. All of the methods
mentioned above will help to ease the causes and effects stress.

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