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What is Stress?
Stress can be defined as anything that makes you tense,
angry, frustrated, unhappy or distressed in any way. It may be caused by a number
of different reasons, ranging from any sort of loss including bereavement, divorce
or separation, long-term illness, a lack of money or simply too much to do in
too little time.
That said, some situations are more stressful to some.
Driving, for example stresses many people but others do not become stressed until
faced with a greater challenge.
| How
does stress make us feel?
People experience feelings of tension, apprehension
and worry. Some common stress related reactions include aggression, increased
irritability, heightened sensitivity to criticism, feelings of losing control,
palpitations, raised blood pressure, difficulty getting to sleep and an increased
use of alcohol or cigarettes. | Stress
produces a number of chemicals and hormones in the body, one of which is adrenaline
and it is this one in particular that many people strive on. It is an action by
the body to enable it to cope
with the increased challenges
bought
on by stress. The
question
is the
balance.
Can the
body
cope on a day-
to-day
or week-to-
week
basis? If it
can
then it is
clearly
dealing with
stress.
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However,
if you persistently experience any of the symptoms above its time to make adjustments
to workload, general health issues, exercise and diet.
If you are starting
to find that the degree of stress you are subject to is getting on top of you,
you should consult your GP. Prolonged stress and anxiety affects the heart and
arteries as well as other parts of the body.
Some
ways to cope with stress
| | Give
yourself some breathing space, relax it can make all the difference to your well-being. |  | A
useful strategy for dealing with a sense of being overwhelmed is to make a diary
of all the things that require attention. | | Prioritise,
put them in order of importance and decide what needs to be done today, next week
or next month and do one thing at a time. | | Eliminate,
decide what doesn’t need doing at all, and where possible remove some of
the causes of stress. | | Delegate
and accept offers of practical help. | | Avoid
nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, they are stimulants, so therefore cannot calm
you down. | | Avoid
nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, they are stimulants, so therefore cannot calm
you down. | | Know
your own limits and don’t take on too much, learn how to say ‘no’. | | Get
enough sleep; the body cannot function properly without it. | | Talk
to someone you can trust. The act of discussing things often makes you feel better. | | Exercise
regularly; it helps to reduce the excesses of adrenaline released by stress and
anger. Even a simple walk around the block can help. | | Use
relaxation techniques. Practise slow breathing using the lower part of your lungs. | | And
last, but not least, do things you enjoy and have some fun. | It’s
important to take action to relieve stress before it affects your physical and
mental health. | If
symptoms persist, you should consult your GP.
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