Stressssssssss!

According to Merriam-Webster, “Stress is defined: a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc: something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety: physical force or pressure.”

No one is immune to stress. At one time or another we will all feel stressed. Many things happen to you or around you – your environment, your body and your thoughts. Your body will have emotional, physical or mental reactions to your stress.

What happens when you are stressed?

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones speed up your heart, you breathe faster and gives you a burst of energy. This is called the fight or flight stress response.

Some stress is normal and even useful, to protect yourself or to react quickly to a situation. But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects; such as, headaches, high blood pressure, problems sleeping, chest pains. It can also affect your mental health; such as, depression, anxiety, anger and withdrawal – possibly causing problems at work or with your home life.

Health related concerns related to stress:

Heart Disease
Headaches
Insomnia
Eating disorders
Depression
Panic or anxiety attacks

Stress facts:

43 percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress
75 percent to 90 percent of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industries more than $300 billion annually
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50 percent, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
Stress can make you sick. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University found that long-term stress seemed to impair ability to regulate inflammation, which in turn could raise a person’s risk of catching a cold.

Identify what is causing your stress and avoid it. Here are a few ways to manage your stress.