Stress and health are closely linked. Stress is the reaction of the people to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed upon them. It arises when they worry that they can’t cope up. Stress is the “wear and tear” which our minds and bodies experience as we attempt to cope with our continually changing environment.

            The stress response of the body is somewhat like an airplane readying for take-off. Virtually all systems (e.g. the heart and blood vessels, the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system, the sensory organs, and the brain) are modified to meet the perceived danger.

*43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.

*75% to 90% of all doctor’s clinic visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

*Stress is linked to 6 of the leading causes of death : heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

*The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.

TYPES OF STRESS:

Negative Stress:- It is a contributory factor in minor conditions such as headaches, digestive problems, skin complains, insomnia and ulcers. Excessive, prolonged and unrelieved stress can have a harmful effect on mental, physical and spiritual health.

Positive Stress:- Stress can also have a positive effect, spurring motivation and awareness, providing the stimulation to cope with challenging situations. Stress also provides the sense of urgency and alertness needed for survival when confronting threatening situation.

Emotional Stress:- It is this feeling of being overwhelmed by the tasks of life, losing control or worrying about the future.

Physical Stress:- Refers to a physiological reaction of the body to various triggers. The pain experienced after surgery is an example of physical stress. Physical stress often leads to emotional stress, and emotional stress is frequently experienced as physical discomfort (e.g., stomach cramps).

Acute Stress:- Acute stress is the reaction to an immediate threat, commonly known as the fight or flight response. The threat can be any situation that is experienced, even subconsciously or falsely, as a danger.

Chronic Stress:- Frequently, however, modern life poses on-going stressful situations that are not short-lived and the urge to act (to fight or to flee) must be suppressed. Stress, then becomes chronic.

WHAT ARE STRESSORS?

Things that create stress are called stressors. For something to be stressful, the event must be threatening to you in some way. Usually a stressor is threatening when it will have a big impact on you.

TYPES OF STRESSORS:

External Stressors:

1) Major life events : Birth, Death, Lost job, Promotion, Marital status change

2) Physical environment : Noise, Bright Lights, Heat, Confined spaces

3) Social Interaction : Rudeness, Bossiness, Aggressiveness by others, Harassment

4) Organizational : Rules, Regulations, Deadlines

5) Daily Hassles : Commuting, Misplaced keys, Mechanical breakdowns

Internal Stressors :

1) Negative self-talk : Pessimistic thinking, Self criticism, Over analyzing

2) Life-style choices : Caffeine, Lack of sleep, Overloaded schedule

3) Mind traps : Unrealistic expectations, Taking thins personally, All or nothing thinking, Exaggeration, Rigid thinking

4) Personality traits : Perfectionists

WHO IS AT RISK?

Studies indicate that the following people are more vulnerable to the effects of stress than others:

*Younger adults :  No one is immune to stress, however, and it may simply go unnoticed in the very young and old.

*Women : Women, in fact, are at higher risk than men in stress related problems.

*Working mothers : Working mothers,  face higher stress levels because they bear a greater and more diffuse work load.  Such stress may prove harmful for their children.

*Unmarried, divorced and widowed individuals :A number of studies indicate that unmarried, divorced and widowed people generally do not live as long as their married contemporaries.

The other persons who live in stress are *Less educated individuals. *The unemployed. *Isolated individuals

* Angry personalities. *People of racial or sexual discriminations *People living in cities  *Those without  health insurance.

COMMON SYMPTOMS  OF STRESS

Physiological:

*Increased heart rate *Rise in blood pressure *Dryness of mouth & throat  *Sweating *Tightness of chest *Headache*Nausea, vomiting *Indigestion *Diarrhea  *Trembling, twitching *Grinding or teeth*Insomnia *Anorexia *Fatigue *Slumped posture *Pain, tightness in neck & back muscles   

Behavioural:-

*Urinary frequency *Missed menstrual cycle *   Reduced interest in sex *Hyperventilation *Accidents and accident proneness *Altered food intake

*Poor concentration *Decreased involvement with others *Bickering *Smoking or use of alcohol and drugs *Increased use of sarcasm *Tendency to cry easily *Nightmares *Complaining and criticizing                                                                                                    Affective : *Irritability *Depression *Angry outbursts     *Emotional instability *Restlessness *Anxiety *Suspiciousness *Jealousy *Increased startle reaction *Decreased frustration tolerance.

Cognitive : *Forgetfulness *Poor judgment *Poor concentration * Reduced creativity *Less fantasizing *Errors in math and grammar *Preoccupation *Inattention to details *Blocking *Reduced productivity *Diminished problem solving

Spiritual: Expressed concern about belief system, about relationship with a clergy, and separation from cultural and religious relationships.

Effects of stress in childhood:

 Depressed or aggressive mothers are particularly powerful sources of stress in children even more important than poverty or overcrowding. Children are frequently victims of stress because they are often unable to communicate their feelings accurately or their responses to events over which they have no control.

Adolescent boys and girls experience equal amounts of stress, but the source and effects may differ. Girls tend to become stressed from interpersonal situations, and stress is more likely to lead to depression in girls than in boys.

        For boys, one study suggested events such as changing schools or poor grades are the most important sources of stress. Another indicated, however, that the probability of childhood behavioral difficulties in a boy is increased with the number and type of stressors encountered in the home.

Effects of stress in the elderly :

As people age, the ability to achieve a relaxation response after a stressful event become more difficult. Aging may simply wear our the systems in the brain that respond to stress, so that they become inefficient. The elderly, too, are very often exposed to major stressors such as medical problems, the loss of a spouse and friends, a change in a living situation, and financial worries etc.

How to manage stress?

Stress in modern society seems unavoidable. Here are some things that you can do to start lowering and managing your stress:

1) Start a daily checklist of things  and that can free you from floating anxiety. By writing down tasks you will not forget  the things to do and can do them   properly.  Prioritize these tasks in order of importance from 1 to 10.

2) Develop a sense of humor. Laughter will balance and offset negative changes  brought on by stress.

3) Give and accept compliments. Words of praise and encouragement help us and those around us to feel good.  Sometimes, when people do not receive positive  recognition, they suffer from stress.

4) Avoid over-commitment. Look at the things you have on your plate. Don’t say to do  difficult or impossible things to please others or to be highlighted.  Remember, if you don’t take control of your life, you will purchase stress.

5) Learn to identify situations that are beyond your control. Do not spend excessive amount of money, time and energy worrying about those things you have no control over.