Stress
is an essential part of life. Usually stress is thought of as a
negative or as an illness. However, stress can be positive, such
as moving into a new home or taking a vacation. To maintain good health
and functioning, a person can learn
When an event is interpreted as threatening, a person's regulating centers
tell the body to speed up in order to prepare to confront or escape the
threat. This reaction is called the "fight or flight" response.
Eye pupils become larger, muscles tense, heart and respiratory rates
increase, and blood drains from extremities leaving hands and feet
feeling cold and sweaty. If the body is not given some relief from biochemical
change, chronic stress may result. If a person is already stressed and
more stress is added, the wear and tear on the body can lead to health
problems.
Stress has been found to be linked to many physical ailments, such as headaches,
ulcers, colitis, asthma, and circulatory problems. The stress reaction
can be caused by environmental stimulus over which a person has little
control. However, a person can learn relaxation techniques which will help
the body to get out of the stress reaction. Another source of stress comes
from how a person interprets and labels experiences. Seeing a person frown
and interpreting the frown as displeasure or irritation can lead to feeling
stress. Seeing the same frown and interpreting it as
tiredness or preoccupation can lead to a less stressful response. Checking
out responses by being aware of personal interpretations, as well as "checking
the responses out" through the use of communication skills, can be helpful.
Stress can upset a person physically and mentally. Some physical
symptoms of stress include:
2. Pounding heart
3. Change in appetite
4. Frequent urination
5. The urge to cry, scream,
or run
Emotionally, a person under stress can become irrational, forgetful, defensive,
accusing, or angry. Remaining calm and unattached when noticing
these reactions in a person can be most helpful. Check with the person.
Often the individual will not realize that he or she is displaying a stress
reaction.
The person may simply feel "crazy" or ill. Do not get involved
by reacting to the person under stress as this response will only increase
the person's stress level. Remain calm, ask the person to explain his or
her physical and emotional feelings, and ask non-threatening questions
to pinpoint the event which triggered the response. "Have you had
any upsetting news," is an example of a non-threatening question.
This type of understanding and probing can put the stress response
into perspective. Physical and metal relaxation techniques go hand-in-hand
with communication and self-awareness skills to relieve stress.