Health Chapter 3: Stress

Stress

Tangible stressors are failing a grade or test. Intangible stressors are the angst associated with meeting your significant other's parents for the first time.

Getting married or winning a major competition.

Financial problems, the death of a loved one, academic difficulties, or ending a relationship.

Autonomic nervous system response.

Homeostasis.

General adaptation syndrome.

Stress may make the symptoms worse. People with anxiety, or who feel tense, angry or overwhelmed are more susceptible to dehydration, inflammation, and other digestive problems.

Stress and cardiovascular disease, weight gain, alcohol dependence, hair loss, diabetes, digestive problems, can affect memory and concentration, and impaired immunity.

A psychosocial stressor from an adjustment to change.

Going out partying or studying. Get good grades or play on an all-star sports team.

Parental values, their own beliefs, and the beliefs of others who are very different from themselves.

Conflicts.

Assessing what is really going on in your life.

Downshifting

It elevates moods, relieves stress, makes us feel good and helps improve relationships.

Practicing mental work to reduce stress, developing a support network, cultivating your spiritual side, managing emotional responses, taking physical action such as getting sleep and eating healthy, managing your time, consider downshifting, using relaxation techniques for stress management such as tai chi, deep breathing or meditation.

It can "burn off" stress hormones by directing them toward their intended metabolic function. It can also help combat stress by raising levels of endorphins in the bloodstream, increasing energy, reducing hostility, and improving mental alertness.

It helps provide the stamina you need to get through problems. Eating unhealthy can distress the body. Avoiding sympathomimetics, substances in foods that produce stress like responses, such as caffeine.

Do one thing at a time. Clean off your desk. Prioritize your tasks. Find a clean, comfortable place to work and avoid interruptions. Reward yourself for work completed. Work when you're at your best. Break overwhelming tasks into small pieces, and allocate a certain amount of time to each. Remember that time is precious.