Managing Stress

Managing stress can be one of the most important keys to function in society especially for people that have experienced mental issues, after incarceration, illness, financial problems, busy life, children, demanding job and so on.

What is stress? Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. (W.H.O.)

The body reacts to stress with adrenaline that increases heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. The body's stress response system is usually self-limiting. Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. The long-term activation of the stress response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follows can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems: (1)

Anxiety

Depression

Digestive problems

Headaches

Muscle tension and pain

Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke

Sleep problems

Weight gain

Memory and concentration impairment

Although it might seem helpful, smoking, drug and excessive food do not help reduce stress, actually it can create more physical and mental problems.

Simple stress reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, relaxation, or exercise. Even setting aside "quiet" time for yourself, writing, thinking, or praying. Share with others your struggle might help to ease the stress and realize that is just a phase. Engaging in activity such us volunteering also give a different purpose in life and reduce the stress taking away the mind from other activities stress related.

Stress is your body's response to any change in its inner or outer environment. We expect things such as getting fired from a job or a death in the family to produce stress. But even good things, such as a promotion or a new baby, can create stress. (2)

If stress become a constant part of someone’s life consider asking a professional counselor to help identify and deal with the "stressors" in life is always advisable. There is no shame in asking for professional help.

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

2. ©1995 Parlay International