ARE YOU STRESSED?
Stress
is a physical and emotional response to change – whether the change
is positive (for example getting promoted, married or forming a new
relationship) --or the change is negative (getting fired, losing a loved
one, becoming ill or injured). Stress activates the "fight or flight
syndrome," a physiological process that supplies the extra adrenaline,
strength, energy and alertness to meet a challenge or danger.
Increased
heart rate, blood pressure, stomach and muscle tension are responses
to a "crisis," that should subside after the crisis is resolved.
Excessive and prolonged stress may result in physical and psychological
illness.
Stress
Test: Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?
Problems
with eating (overeating or lack of appetite)
Difficulty
sleeping or nightmares
Increased
use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs
Watching
more TV
Withdrawing
from or avoiding friends and family
Increased
irritation, frustration or anger toward others
Avoiding
tasks and responsibilities; procrastination; chronic lateness
Difficulty
making decisions
Neglecting
your appearance
Lack
of motivation, increased boredom and fatigue – "the blahs"
Difficulty
concentrating, paying attention, getting organized
Urges
to cry or run away
Feeling
unhappy or sad for no apparent reason
Feelings
of weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, frequent worry, nervousness,
or "anxiety attacks"
More
than occasional feelings of loneliness, rejection, powerlessness and
hopelessness
Frequent
headaches, backaches, muscle aches, stomach tension
High
blood pressure, clammy hands, chest pain, racing heartbeat
Frequent
indigestion, constipation, diarrhea or urination
Frequent
colds and infections
Accident-proneness;
many minor injuries
If you
have checked any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from the results
of chronic stress. A medical check-up is advisable for physical symptoms.
Therapy with a trained, experienced professional can help you change
your internal and external responses to sources of stress, improve your
quality of life, and may ultimately extend your lifespan.
You
can’t eliminate stress from your life, but you can change the way you
respond to it, and learn to change your negative feelings by:
Eliminating
destructive and self-defeating thought patterns
Setting
up personal goals and rewards
Identifying
realistic expectations
Learning
to accept what you can not change
Learning
time management
Improving
communication and interpersonal skills
Learning
to say "no" and other assertiveness skills
Increasing
social support
Learning
healthy coping skills and tension-relievers
Protecting
yourself against future stress |