In the modern life that we are living in, we must move in a fast pace. People tend to be productive that is why life has full of hassles; your boss requires deadlines, lot of frustrations in your mind, and demands for your everyday habit. The most common thing that you can get out of these is "Stress". For most of the people in our modern society today, stress has somehow became a part of their everyday life. Stress is caused by external circumstances which affects your attitude and perceptions.
What Causes Stress?
For some reasons, stress is not that all bad. Stress can sometimes help you perform even under pressure to motivate you to perform in constant rushing mode, in which later on, your body and mind pays the price. This is the time when stress really messes up your attitude. Stress can be the first stage of most illnesses that may be acquired. Some of these common illnesses are hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, herpes, and more. It could be two thirds of the reasons why you visit the physician more often. Stress acquired for long periods of time can cause poor concentration, irritability, anger, and even messes up with your judgments. It is critical that you have to keep a tab on your stress level before it gets worse. It can lead to marriage breakups, road rage, family fights, violence, and the worst, suicide.
The external factors that results in stress are called "stressors". When we talk about the stressors, we usually think of it being negative. Things like getting exhausted from a work schedule or being into a bad relationship. But that's not all stressors are for. There are also positive events that can trigger stressors like going to college for the first time, receiving a promotion, buying a house, or getting married. Stress may kick in and you feel tense and anxious,however, you may find the trip to be relaxing as it gives you enough time to think, have a moment for yourself, and you can also enjoy listening to music which can calm you in any way.
What is Stress?
Before you take actions about your stress, it is important to know what stress is and where do we get this. Stress is basically normal physical responses to events that make you feel disturbed, threatened, or disorganize your balance. One example where stress kicks in is that when you feel or sense that danger is coming. Our body defenses tend to jump start in high gear, making us even more alert, and our minds automatically process a "fight-or-flight" reaction or in other words, stress responses.
Stress responses are very helpful in the sense that it is your body's self defense or offense. When activated and working properly, it helps you stay focused, gives you extra energy than what energy drinks can give, and your mind is alert most of the time. Stress responses are present primarily in emergency cases whether you are in an accident, your body gains extra strength, giving you the energy to survive. Stress responses can also be activated in cases other than life-threatening situations. You can count on stress responses in your presentations at work, sharpens your concentration in a game or competition, or drives you even further to study for an exam instead of slouching in your couch watching TV. These stress responses can be helpful for a while but after it is consumed, your body gets exhausted, your mind loses its focus, you become very moody, your relationship is messed up, it affects your quality of life.
How do you respond to Stress?
It is important to know when is stress helpful and when is not. It is also better to learn how to recognize your stress levels and most importantly, to know if it is still under your control. Living with your everyday stress makes you familiar of it but it doesn't make you feel safe. You might not notice how much it is affecting you until you start feeling symptoms of any serious illness. You tend to carry the stress on even though you are feeling the weight of it as if it is a heavy toll. Stress may occur differently in people. Not all stress looks the same and others may experience differently. Sometimes, it is difficult to identify stress as some stresses doesn't look to stressful. There are common ways that people respond when they are overwhelmed with stress.
These are driving analogies to describe the response to stress:
1. Foot on the gas – An irritated or agitated stress response. This response makes you heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.
2. Foot on the brake – An inhibited and withdrawn stress response. This response makes you quiet, you tend to space out, shows little emotion and energy.
3. Foot on both - A tense and frozen stress response. You tend to "freeze" under pressure and which you can't do anything. You looked still but you are extremely agitated in the surface.
How to Deal with Stress?
All stress can be dealt with even though how bad your stress is.
1. Learn to manage your stress – you may feel that your stress is out of control but you can always control your response to stress. Take charge of your thoughts and actions. Manage your emotions and eventually, you will handle the weight of the stress.
2. Learn to relax – Relaxing is the best way to counter stress. Stress cannot be eliminated but relaxing makes it bearable.
3. Learn quick stress relief – everybody can lessen the impact of stress. With practice, you can spot stressors and stay in control of yourself. Do things that are enjoyable if the stress kicks in. Find other things to do if what you are doing makes your stress worse.
