HEALTH IS
WEALTH
[ A] STRESS
MANAGEMENT
Stress is the body's reaction to any change that
requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with
physical, mental and emotional responses.Stress is a normal part of life. Many
events that happen to you and around you, and many things that you do yourself,
put stress on your body. You can experience stress from your environment, your
body and your thoughts.
How does stress affect health?
The human body is designed to experience stress and
react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping you alert and ready to avoid
danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges
without relief or relaxation between challenges. As a result, the person
becomes overworked, and stress-related tension builds.
Stress that continues without relief can lead to a
condition called distress, a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to
physical problems including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure,
chest pain and trouble sleeping. Research suggests that stress can also bring
on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases
Stress also becomes harmful when people turn to
alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try to relieve their stress. Unfortunately,
instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state,
these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more
problems. Consider the following:
The Health and Safety Executive says around 9.9
million working days are lost each year to stress, depression or anxiety.
Occupations with some of the highest rates of
work-related stress are education, health and social care, public
administration and defence.
These
psychological problems stress,
anxiety and depression. Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches,
high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma and
arthritis.
More about symptoms of stress
Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including
your emotions, behaviour, thinking ability and physical health. No part of the
body is immune, but, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of
stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by
medical conditions. It is important to discuss them with your doctor. You may
experience any of the following symptoms of stress.
Emotional symptoms of stress include:
Becoming easily agitated, frustrated and moody
Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or
need to take control
Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely,
worthless and depressed
Avoiding others.
Physical symptoms of stress include:
Low energy
Headaches
Upset stomach, including diarrhoea, constipation and
nausea
Aches, pains, and tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Insomnia
Frequent colds and infections
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear
Cold or sweaty hands and feet
Excess sweating
Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
Clenched jaw and grinding teeth.
Cognitive symptoms of stress include:
Constant worrying
Racing thoughts
Forgetfulness and disorganisation
Inability to focus
Poor judgement
Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side.
Behavioural symptoms of stress include:
Changes in appetite - either not eating or eating too
much
Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
Increased use of alcohol, drugs or cigarettes
Exhibiting more nervous behaviour, such as nail
biting, fidgeting and pacing
What are the consequences of long-term stress?
A little stress every now and then is not something to
be concerned about. Ongoing, chronic stress, however, can cause or exacerbate
many serious health problems, including:
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety
and personality disorders
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, high
blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and stroke
Obesity and other eating disorders
Menstrual problems
Sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction
(impotence) and premature ejaculation in men and loss of sexual desire in both
men and women
Skin and hair problems, such as acne, psoriasis,
eczema and permanent hair loss
Gastrointestinal problems, such as heartburn,
indigestion, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Help is available for stress
Stress is a part of life but what matters most is how
you handle it. The best thing you can do to prevent stress overload and the
health consequences that come with it is to know your stress symptoms and manage
stress.
If you, or someone you know, is feeling overwhelmed by
stress, seek medical advice. Many symptoms of stress can also be signs of other
health problems. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms, rule out other
conditions, and advise you on ways to manage stress.
