What Is Stress?

Stress

Stress is a condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal balanced state. Stress may be responsible for some diseases.


Common Sources Of Stress

• Social factors, Death of loved ones, marriage, divorce.
• Lifestyle factors, poverty, unemployment, depression related to health, alcoholism, insomnia, unsatisfactory job, loss of job, moving to a new home, chronic illness, traumatic event.


Physiological response of the body to stress

• CNS, Lack of concentration, memory impairment, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, fatigue.
• CVS, Increase blood pressure, atherosclerosis, increase heart rate.
• Digestive system, Abnormal problems, diarrhea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome.
• Respiratory, Asthma.
• Musculoskeletal, Backache, malignant cell changes.
• Reproductive infertility, premature ejaculation, impotence.
• Endocrine, Degenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis.
• Immune, Decrease immune response.


Stages Of Stress

Hans selye, a pioneering stress therapist developed the GAS model that suggests a person's response to stress consists of 3 stages.
• Alarms (Fight or flight response)
• Resistance
• Exhaustion.


Stressor

Stage 1 Alarms, the body prepares for action to increase arousal.

Stage 2 Resistance, attempts are made to cope with specific stressors.

Stage 3 Exhaustion, the body can no longer resist a stressor, psychological breakdown beings.


Stress Management 

Dealing with a stressful situation

Change in situation
• Avoid the stressor
• Alternative stressor

Change your reaction
• Adapt to the stressor
• Accept the stressor.


Healthy Ways For The Stress Management

• By long walking
• Time spent in natural environment
• By good company
• By exercise
• By writing (journal, assay, poem)
• By bathing
• Avoid alcohol, medication
• Hot coffee or tea
• Play with pet
• Gardening
• Body massage
• Reading books
• Listening music
• Laughing therapy
• Healthy diet.