Stress is that particular stage in our life in which our body gives unwanted responses to any demand made upon it. It is a force created the by mind that can distort, stretch, twist, compress, or deform the body as well as mind in some manner. Technically whenever we perceive any physical threat or challenge, we are under the grip of stress. Practically, whenever our mind feels uneasy, restless, disturbed, agitated, tense, heavy, or strained, we are said to be under stress.
It is interesting to know that our each mental activity is associated with a physiological response from the body generated through the action of our autonomous nervous system. When we are under stress, our attitudes and viewpoints are changed and things that were clear are seen as through a sparkling wave of opaque glass, clouding perceptions, diminishing self-esteem, and changing your manner of dealing with others.
The trouble starts when several life events hit you all at once. People are more vulnerable to stress during periods of major change. There are finite numbers of changes that any individual can handle at any time, and usually the straw that breaks the camel's back is unpredictable.
It is very difficult for a person to change because, firstly most of us
don't know how to introduce or face change in our life and thus inviting unnecessary
stress. Secondly, in our culture, we have a set of beliefs that prevents us
from being able to utilize our own inherent abilities. We link negative associations
and insecurity to the idea of instant change because we are so deeply attached
to our present circumstances that inspite of desiring for change we often
are not willing to introduce it in our lives hence, more stressing our already
stressed life.
The response to acute stress is to flight or fight, or in some rare cases
to remain puzzled by fear.
SOURCES OF STRESS
Stressors are the external demands on the internal attitudes and thoughts
that require us to adapt. They can be of following types:
Emotional Stressors
E.g. Nuclear war, what if I lose my job. Future of my children, etc.
Family Stressors
E.g. Interaction with family members, birth of a child, death of a family
member, disharmony between parents, husband and wife etc.
Social Stressors
E.g. giving a speech, expressing anger, asking a person a date, attending
parties etc.
Change Stressors
E.g. When we leave a job, a house, when we move to another city, all changes
etc.
Chemical Stressors
E.g. Drug addiction, smoking, pesticides, chemicals via water supply in cities,
etc.
Work Stressors
E.g. Asking for a raise, trying to meet impossible deadlines, explaining a
mistake, asking for apology, etc.
Decision Stressors
E.g. Ambiguous and conflicting job demands.
Commuting Stressors
E.g. Driving in rush hour of traffic, traveling in unpredictable buses and
trains, returning home in the evenings, etc.
Phobic Stressors
E.g. Exaggerated fears of certain animals, places, objects or situations.
Physical Stressors
E.g. Strain of over working, overweight, lack of sleep, pregnancy, accidents,
etc.
Diseases Stressors
E.g. Headaches, arthritis, asthma, ulcers, etc.
Pain Stressors
E.g. Accidents, injuries or diseases.
Environmental Stressors
E.g. Noisy typewriters, smoky rooms, cramped offices, summer, winter, etc.
TYPES OF STRESS
Stress can be classified broadly in two categories:
1. Eustress
It is the stress, which is generated out of positive emotions and changes
like getting a new job, promotion, etc. Since they are associated with positive
feelings so, they actually increases our resistance to stress.
2. Distress
It is the stress, which is result of negative emotions or situations like
illness, financial losses, etc. This negative feeling lowers our resistance
and makes us more vulnerable to mental disturbance and diseases.
MECHANISM OF STRESS
When we do not like a thing that we are involved with and find it impossible to avoid or to change, it is likely that we are setting up a condition of ceaseless stress in our life.
When something occurs that has an effect on you to the point of causing some
degree of stress and you continue to think about it, to carry it around with
you, you give it energy. The more you think about the incident, the greater
the energization, until it does indeed cause trauma.
EFFECTS OF STRESS ON OUR BODY
Stresses effect our body in more than one way. Some of the effects are:
Psychological Effects
Extreme irritability, Absent mindedness, Lack of memory and concentration,
Restlessness, Dizziness, Sleeplessness
Physical Effects
Pain, Palpitation and chest discomfort, Fainting, Choking, Indigestion and
Nausea, Diarrhea and increased frequency of urination, Tiredness, Insomnia,
Breathlessness, Tension headache and muscle aches, Sexual dysfunction, Heart
attacks, Bronchial asthma, Anxiety, and Irritable bowel's syndrome.
Emotional Effects
Change in eating pattern, Increase in smoking, Change in sleeping pattern,
Increased drinking and alcohol dependence.
General Effects
Less resistant body, Skin allergies, Reduced life expectancy, Continuos sweating,
Tendency for suicide.
STRESS ADDICTION
There are some people to whom it becomes their second nature to always remain
in a condition of stress. They are always moving, planning and worrying. The
habit of restlessness becomes so deeply entrenched in them that it seems unnatural
to them to allow their body and mind to relax. Chronic tension and restlessness
of both mind and body simply become their habit. They are always racing against
time and are constantly under time pressure. They purposely seek out high
stress situation and stress inducing behavior. These people are called stress
addicts. Unconsciously they are gradually being eaten away by stress without
becoming aware of this until the day when they notice some outward signs of
a stress related illness.
Stress is not caused by problems. It is your attitude towards the problem
that causes stress. Stresses are inevitable part of our lives so, instead
of running from it we must know the technique to manage it and turn it to
our best advantage. If manage perfectly, it can serve as a powerful motivating
force for creativity and achievement.
RELAXATION
Relaxation or de-stressing is one of the best scientific as well as spiritual
method of activating subconscious mind. When we are able to activate this
part of mind, we get linked to our inner self, which helps us to motivate
towards higher goals in life.
Mind of most of the people runs with a tremendous velocity with one thought after another thought. Their mind is not able to remain calm even for a moment. Gradually it becomes a deep-rooted habit and a type of mind set. When there is nothing to do, they move tense as to what to do now, instead of utilizing this opportunity to relax their minds. Mind velocity particularly high during emotions of hurry, impatience and desperation.
It is only when you think ahead of time and become past and future oriented
that the speed of your mind increases and it also leads to poor performance
of the present task in hand. If we are not mindful in each small activity,
we can't be mindful in carrying out important tasks also because attitude
and frame of mind can't suddenly change.
Relaxation is considered as the brain tonic for a tensed and stressed mind. By practicing relaxation regularly we recharge our minds. When we don't relax for long time our body develops a state in which we feel uneasiness, frustration and depression. We are completely exhausted at this stage and are unable to do or think anything.
When we are relaxed there is a continuous and balanced flow of energy in our mind and body which helps us to get rid of anxieties and perform our duties in a better way. Relaxation is only possible when we have complete control on our mind. Once you control your mind, happiness and peace come as a natural consequence.
Practicing scientific relaxation technique twice daily for twenty minutes
for de stressing and self introspection can do wonders in terms of your goal
to achieve everlasting happiness ,health ,wealth and freedom form unfounded
fears and anxieties.