STRESS AND ITS MANAGEMENT

 

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.

Symptoms of stress

• headaches or dizziness.
• muscle tension or pain.
• stomach problems.
• chest pain or a faster heartbeat.
• sexual problems.

Stress can also help you rise to meet challenges. It’s what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you’d rather be watching TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships, and your quality of life.

CHARACTERISTICS OF STRESS AROUSING CONDITIONS:-

1. DURATION:- Stressful situations differ in duration. A  job interview lasts for a short time, whereas a marital quarrel might lat for hours or days.
2. SEVERITY:-Situations vary in the severity of the circumstances confronting the individual. In genera, a minor injury is easier to cope with than a major injury.
3. PREDICTABILITY:- In some cases predictability is high whereas in others predictability is low. The amount of request is caused by a request to give an oral presentation in class would depend on whether the request was made on the spot or was a previously given assignment.

COPING WITH STRESS/STRESS MANAGEMENT

People can learn to manage stress and lead happier, healthier lives. You may want to begin with the following tips:

• Keep a positive attitude.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Learn to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Make time for hobbies and interests.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love.
• Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn more healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.

What are the warning signs of stress?

Chronic stress can wear down the body's natural defenses, leading to a variety of physical symptoms, including the following:

• Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it."
• General aches and pains.
• Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.
• Headaches.
• Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.
• Increase in or loss of appetite.
• Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders.
• Problems sleeping.
• Racing heart.
• Cold and sweaty palms.
• Tiredness, exhaustion.
• Trembling/shaking.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Upset stomach, diarrhea.
• Sexual difficulties.