Stress: What is it and what will it do to me?

Stress is the pressure and tension you feel when faced with a situation that you perceive as new, unpleasant or threatening. It is important to remember that each person perceives and responds to stress differently, which explains why some people feel stress in certain situations while others do not. There are also different types of stress, listed below.

Positive stress can improve concentration, focus, motivation & help you reach your peak efficiency. Examples of positive stress include weddings, births, moving, etc.

Negative stress occurs when you remain Ageared up @ after a challenge, with no relaxation occurring. A constant cycle of negative stress is linked to poor mental and physical health.

Mental stress can occur as a result of traumatic events or daily occurrences (paying bills, studying for exams, dealing with a difficult co-worker).

Physical stress occurs as a result of not taking proper care of oneself (getting too little sleep, poor diet, over-committing oneself).

The body responds to both physical & mental stress by increasing blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, metabolism and blood flow to your muscles. Blood flow to your major organs is then restricted B this is known as the A fight or flight @ response, which normally occurs when your life is in danger, but also occurs any time you are under duress, or > stressed out = . It is not healthy for your body to be in this state for prolonged periods of time, and can cause a weakened immune system, which makes you more susceptible to infections, as well as to high blood pressure and heart disease; some studies have found that approximately 80% of visits to doctors are for injuries and illnesses brought on by stress. This is an important reason for you to learn how to manage your stress level.

Basic Sources of Stress

Your environment (weather, noise, traffic, pollution, etc.)

Social stressors (deadlines, financial problems, job interviews, presentations, disagreements, demands for time and attention, conflicts in relationships)

Physiological stress, which includes not only bodily changes as you age, but also physiological reactions to environmental and social threats, which can result in muscle tension, headaches, stomach upset and anxiety.

Your thoughts Bhow your brain interprets events and gears the body for the fight or flight response as well as how you interpret, perceive and label your present experience, which can result in either relaxation or stress.

Stress Busters

Be realistic in what you can and cannot do. Overambitious goals are a frequent cause of stress.

Get adequate sleep. Try to establish a regular hour for bedtime.

Avoid hurrying and worry.

Control your emotions. Decide if the circumstances are worth getting stressed over. Don’t let petty problems get the best of you.

Learn to love people more than things. Seek out and spend time with people whose company you enjoy.

Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to cope with a problem.

Don’t keep feelings to yourself. Identify fears and talk them over with others. Stick to saying what you feel. Avoid focusing on what the other person is doing. Think “I feel angry,” rather than “You make me angry.”

Make decisions even though they may turn out to be wrong. Compromise as often as possible as this will give you some control over the situation.

Try to follow routines. Avoid disorganization and disruption.

Develop a sense of humor, especially when there is tension. This will help to prevent you from taking things too seriously.

Physical exercise without overdoing it works wonders in helping reduce stress.

Lastly, remember The Counseling Center! We are here for you, and our services are free of charge to faculty, staff and currently enrolled students. Please call us at 737-1471, stop by our office in Boykin-Wright Hall, or check out our web site, www.aug.edu/counseling.

Stress websites:

www.teachhealth.com/
www.mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=117&cn=117# http://stress.about.com/
www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/41.cfm
www.relaxandbreathe.com/queon/flash/randb.htm
www.stressless.com/
www.stress.org/
http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/stressmanagement.shtml

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