Anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being is a stress. Some stresses get you going and they are good for you-without any stress at all, many say our lives would be boring and would probably feel pointless.
Sure,you might sweat it when the boss dumps a new project on you. But you 'll also feel excited. That's the pleasure chemical Dopamine flowing in your brain: you won't get your dopamine from doing the same old thing. However, when the stresses undermine both our mental and physical health they are bad.
Stress doesn't affect your lifespan-
but how you feel about it does. Not what you're used to hearing? Here's proof: researchers in Michigan asked 30,000 people to rate their stress level and how much they believed it impaired their health. Those who felt it was harmful were 43 percent more likely to die in the study period. Cheer up and it might never happen.
When we are stressed the following happen
>Blood pressure rises
>Breathing becomes more rapid
>Digestive system slows down
>Heart rate(pulse) rises
>Immune system goes down
>Muscles become tense
>We do not sleep.
Most of us have varying interpretations of what stress is about and what matters. What really matters are our thoughts about the situations in which we find ourselves. It is important to learn that what matters more than the event itself is usually our thoughts about the event when we are trying to manage stress. How you see that stressful event will be the largest single factor that impacts on your physical and mental health. Your interpretation of events and challenges in life may decide whether they are invigorating or harmful for you. A persistently negative response to challenges will eventually have a negative effect on your health and happiness.
Self help for treating stress
>EXERCISE- exercise has been proven to have beneficial effect on a person's mental and physical state. For many people exercise is an extremely effective stress buster.
>Division of Labor- Try to delegate your responsibilities at work,or share them.If you make yourself indispensable the likelihood of your feeling highly stressed is significantly greater.
>Assertiveness- Don't say yes to everything.If you can't do something well,or if something is not your responsibility,try to seek ways of not agreeing to do them.
>Alcohol and Drugs- alcohol and drugs will not help you manage stress better.Either stop consuming them completely, or cut down.
>Caffeine- If. Your consumption of coffee and other drinks which contain caffeine is high,cut down
>Nutrition- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.Make sure you have a healthy and balanced diet.
>Talk- talk to your family,friends,work colleagues and your boss.Express your thoughts and worries.
>Time- make sure you set aside some time each day just for yourself. Use that time to organize your life,relax, and pursue your own interests.
>Relaxation techniques- meditation,massage,or yoga have been known to greatly help people with stress.
Finally,Don't be put off by pop psychologists who call stress a killer. Otherwise you'll miss out on all its benefits- and a chance to climb the ladder. Man up and move up.
this is a nice piece.....av learnt quite a few things.
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