It's something many of us confront everyday, but the question remains: what exactly is stress? Stress is your body's reaction to internal and external demands placed upon it. Stress is caused by any number of scenarios, such as an approaching work deadline, money management issues or giving a public speech. The result of these demands creates physical, psychological and emotional strain that, over time, can have negative effects on your body. This is why understanding proper stress management is an important part of maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Positive Stress Vs. Negative Stress
While stress is most often considered a negative, the truth is that short-term stress can often be beneficial. For example, students taking a difficult test can benefit from the heightened level of alertness that stress impresses upon the body. However, the longer the stress lingers, the more likely you are to experience negative side effects. A heightened state of awareness is excellent for short stints but can be detrimental to long-term health. Therefore, individuals who are constantly bombarded with stressful situations, with no breaks in-between for rest and relaxation, will often become dragged down by the constant feeling of "being on edge." This type of negative long-term stress is defined as distress. Distress can be handled by developing stress management techniques created through seeking professional help or enrolling in self help programs like The Midwest Center
Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program.
Physical Effects of Stress
Without proper
stress relief, the excessive adrenaline and cortisol manufactured by the body during stressful conditions can adversely affect numerous autonomic nervous functions. Some physical effects of stress include:
- Slowed digestion
- Increased heart rate
- Headaches
- Skin conditions
- Arthritis
- Asthma
Emotional Effects of Stress
Eventually, the physical effects of stress will negatively inhibit mood. Some common emotional effects associated with chronic stress include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Paranoia
Managing the Effects of Stress
Did you know that more than 43 percent of adults suffer from negative health effects related to stress? Unfortunately, it's a widespread problem that can be avoided simply by applying
stress management practices. Simple steps that you can take to relieve stress include aerobic exercise, laughing and setting aside time to relax everyday (even if only for a few minutes). It is also a well-documented fact that excessive caffeine, drug use, alcohol use and tobacco products can make the effects of stress significantly worse. Avoiding such products and finding a way to achieve a balanced lifestyle are excellent ways to cope with stress, improve your mood and stave off those unfriendly feelings of depression. Develop these healthy habits by coming up with a stress plan. The Midwest Center's
Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program will help you develop a strong stress plan to battle your stress & anxiety.
