What is stress and techniques to reduce stress in your life.

What is Stress?

Stress is the way that we respond to change in our lives. It is the way our bodies react physically, emotionally, cognitively, behaviorally to any change in the status quo. These changes do not have to be only negative things; positive change can also be stressful. Even imagined change can cause stress.

Stress is highly individual. A situation that one person may find stressful may not bother another person. Stress occurs when something happens that we feel imposes a demand on us. When we perceive that we cannot cope or feel inadequate to meet the demand we begin to feel stress.

Stress is not all bad. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives because it is stimulating and motivating. It gives us the energy to try harder and keeps us alert. When we find ourselves in situations that challenge us too much we react with the ?fight or flight? stress response. Stress actually begins in our brains and it is expressed in our body. Once w perceive a stress our body sends our chemical messengers in the form of stress hormones to help our bodies handle the stress.

Chronic Stress

Stress hormones are important to help us meet the demands of stress occasionally but if they are repeatedly triggered disease will occur. Our body does signal us when we are we are experiencing the effects of chronic stress.

Physical Symptoms

• Headaches
• Tension
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Muscle aches
• Digestive upset
• Restlessness
• Appetite change
• Alcohol, tobacco, drug use

Mental Symptoms

• Forgetfulness
• Low productivity
• Confusion
• Poor concentration
• Lethargy
• Negativity
• Busy mind

Emotional Symptoms

• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Depression
• Worrying
• Little Joy
• Anger
• Resentment
• Impatience

Social Symptoms

• Lashing out
• Decrease sex drive
• Lack of intimacy
• Isolation
• Intolerance
• Loneliness
• Decrease in social activities
• Desire to run away