STRESS
Stress is a mechanism by which our human body responds to all threats in all its forms, whether from danger or demand. Whenever your brain senses any danger due to any reason the body immediately responds by moving into an alert position. Not all stress is bad, we know, and sometimes it helps you to fight against outer or external threats by releasing energy and proving the body with extra strength and alertness. Think of the way your finger automatically reverses from touching a sharp or hot surface. Or perhaps the way your body blocks away deafening noise.
CAUSES FOR STRESS
- There are many factors that cause stress in our working or professional lives, ranging from episodic to longer term issues. Few common examples of work related stress are as follows:
- Dissatisfaction at work or home
- Long working hours
- Professional rivalry within a workplace
- Job insecurity
- Discrimination, Harassment
- Unreasonable work loads
- Lack of work life balance
- There are many other causes for stress within a home environment. Some examples include
- Conflict within relationships
- Death or chronic illness within a family
- Divorce or separation
- Infidelity or betrayal within a relationship
- Lack of or need of financial resources
- Unemployment or retrenchment
- Chronic illness or injury
- Traumatic event such as violence, aggravated assault and rape
- Stress may be also caused by episodic events such as terrorism, floods, drought, war, riots and
SYMPTOMS FOR STRESS
The following are the warning signs and symptoms of stress: –
Cognitive symptoms:
- Concentration problem
- Memory problems
- Inability to judge
- Anxious or racing thoughts
- Pessimistic view
- Constant worries or troubled thoughts
Emotional symptoms:
- Unhappiness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger, Moodiness, or irritability
- Feeling of loneliness or sense of abandonment
- Other psychological or emotional triggers
Physical symptoms:
- Aches and pains
- Nausea, dizziness
- Indigestion, Diarrhea or constipation
- Constant colds or flu
- Loss of sex drive
Behavioral symptoms:
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Overeating or eating less
- Use of alcohol or drugs to relax
- Procrastinating or avoiding responsibilities
- Physical manifestations like biting nails, twitching fingers, pounding heart, etc.
How to deal with stress?:
Although stress is a fact of life, you don’t need to be overwhelmed by it, or let it come in the way of your health, happiness, and goals in life.
Although stress is a fact of life, you don’t need to be overwhelmed by it, or let it come in the way of your health, happiness, and goals in life.
Relationship between stress and sleep:
A good night’s sleep is critical to health and wellbeing. Scientists have often seen a close relationship between lack of sleep and a number of health problems.
A good night’s sleep is critical to health and wellbeing. Scientists have often seen a close relationship between lack of sleep and a number of health problems.