Every one in day to day life deals with stress.
Stress is non specific response of body to any demand being made on a person. Stress can be positive and negative. Positive stress is pleasant form of stress caused by desirable stimuli. Some example of positive stress are excelling in examination, or being offered a job promotion. Negative Stress can cause mental agitation.
Stress feelings are worry, tired, anger, frightened, depressed
Types of Stressors External & Internal
External: 1) Environment: noise, bright light, heat, confined Space
2) Social: rudeness, aggressiveness by others
3) Organizational: rules, regulations, deadlines
Internal:1) Life style choices: overloaded schedules, lack of sleep
2) Negative self-talk: self criticism
3) Mind Traps: unrealistic expectations, rigid thinking, taking things personally
Symptoms Of Stress:1) Physical: excess weight or under weight, muscle spasms, high blood pressure and heart rate, lack of appetite, sleeplessness, fatigue.
2) Mental signs of stress: boredom with life, anxiety, inability to concentrate, confusion, disorientation.
3)Behavioral Symptom: appetite Changes- too much or too little, increase intake of alcohol and drugs of abuse, increased smoking, over reacting, restlessness
4) Emotional Symptom: suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, depression
Stress Related Illnesses: Cardiovascular disorders, Diabetes, Asthma, Depression, Skin complaints- Psoriasis
How to manage stress: Identify the stressors responsible for their negative symptoms, and either eliminate or modify the stressors so that the resultant stress is manageable.
Emotion focused strategy: Teaching people how to control their emotions so that they are not negatively affected by stress.
Examine your diet: Add to your diet vegetables fruits, vitamins, water. Reduce salt intake, sugar intake, caffeine intake.
Get a minimum of 6 hours of continuous rest in day. Exercise or morning walk at least 30 min in a day .
Meditation: The idea behind meditation is to consciously relax your body and focus your thoughts on one thing for a sustained period. This occupies your mind, diverting it from the problems that are causing you stress. It gives your body time to relax and to clear away stress hormones that may have built up.
Hobbies and Recreational activities are a pleasant diversion from the monotony of the daily activities. e.g. painting, singing, dancing, keeping pets like dog and cats or fish at home.