Modem life is full of hassles, deadlines to keep, demands to meet and frustrations.
Stress can be defined scientifically as the result produced when a structure or system or organization is acted upon by forces that disrupt equilibrium or produce strain
Stresses are encountered on a daily basis. Its cases can be physical, like excessive heat or cold environment, or physical injury. It can be emotional such as when one is bereaved or suffers one loss or oppressive depressive cr the other. It can be mental such as when subjected to menial torture or intellectual stress. Stresses can also be environmental such as induced by traffic hold up, overcrowding, excessive noise. It can also be caused by chemical factors such as air pollution. These events that result to the situation of stress are called stressors.
Stresses can also be described as a reaction to a given situation. lt is the response to a challenging or the bodys way of preparing for a difficult situation with alertness.
Stress can also be said to be a mental or physical response to the event that affects ones mental and physical balance.
For many people stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life. Stress however is not always bad. In small doses it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. It can give one motivation to stay focused and alert. Stress sometime can make a person achieve what he or she wants to. Stress can keep a parson on his or her toes during working hours, but when you are constantly running on emergency mode your mind and body pay the price.
Sometimes, when the going gets really tough and the person cannot meet the demands, the pressure might exceed the mental and physical limits of the person. Chronic stress can become a threat to both the mental and physical well being of a person.
Stress can lead to the following consequences, heart diseases, anxiety attacks, psychological distress, sleep problems, peptic ulcers, chronic pains, flu, headaches, alcoholism, chronic fatigue, mood swings, depression, eating disorders, poor resistance against diseases, Golds, viruses and migraines. When an individual is subjected to stress he reacts with a stress response:- a chain of event that occur that lead to acute and finally to chronic inbalances in the body. This occurs in three phase namely alarm, resistance and exhaustion, the first phase (alarm stage) described as the fight or flight stage response. That causes a short sustained release of the hormone called adrenaline. This leads to activities like sweating or fast breathing as well as fast beating of the heart.
The second stage is the stage of resistance. This is a sustained response to stress leading to the release of a hormone called cortical which causes high blood pressure and weight gain.
The third stage is the stage of exhaustion. This is the point at which the bodies adrenal system gets exhausted and is often referred to as burnt cut. To manage your stress the following measures are suggested. Take steps to restore your adrenal system in the following ways. Get proper rest: schedule it like an appointment
. Get a proper diet: watch what you eat. Eat less of red meat, saturated oil and fat, white processed rice etc.
Trying to get relief in the consumption of caffeine and sugary foods for quick energy, only speeds up on an already exhausted system making things wrest. Eat more of whole wheat meals; unsaturated oils, fruits, vegetables, white meat, and fish.
Take proper food supplements and enjoy your mea! times. Get proper exercises. Exercise regularly, you need 20-30 minutes of excise at least three times or week or quick bursts of 5-10 minutes exercise even/ day. Breathing exercise involve breathing in through the nose and counting to five and breathing out through the mouth and counting to eight for five to ten minutes several times daily. Exercise starts up chemical reaction in the body, enhances the mood and makes you more fit to handle physical challenges. Progressive muscle relaxation beginning from the feet muscle to the leg, thigh to the neck and facial muscles, relax all maximally.
Simplify your lifestyle cut unnecessary stressful activities off your life. Learn to say no to extra activity if you are already overextended.
Don’t set unrealistic goals or at best Set them be a guide not a dogma.
Get enough sleep: don’t drink caffeine or exercise late in the day, but keep a regular bed time.
Have fun; keep a good balance of work and play and of solitary and group activities. Get yourself a good laugh; turn every stressor in to humor. Don’t miss any opportunity to really laugh. Laughter releases tension. Look for what is funny in everyday life. Find classic comedies on television and video. Maintain a support system: look for someone that can help you and discuss the issues with him or her. Issues discussed are half solved. Make sure your schedule accommodates time with loved ones. Think of recreational activates you can do with friends and families that don’t cost much. Holidays: use your holiday time judiciously, travel, sleep in hotels, go for body massages, enjoy your holidays.
Be assertive. Don’t bottle up negative emotions and experiences. Express your feelings. Specify your wants and say it directly to the person concerned. Be creative; indulge in enjoyable hobbies such as painting, gardening, dancing, writing, or singing.
Give of yourself; find a way to help somebody in need. This is the best way to remind ourselves to be grateful for what we might take for granted. Pamper yourself; it does not cost much to relax.
Finally and most importantly practice meditation and prayers. Meditation may involve positive thinking and confession about the situation at hand. Remember there is always a way out of every situation no matter how complex it is. Think if through positively. Find ways to focus energy on a meaning and purpose beyond your even/ day life. Follow the injunction of the scriptures in Phil 4:8 “Don’t worry about anything you need, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart”. (GMB) or “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God” (KJV)
