Test Stress

What is Stress?

Stress Definition: What is it?

Stress is any stimulus to your body that requires it to respond or adapt. Normally, your body adapts to stress and maintains a healthy and balanced state called homeostasis. A stressor is anything that causes stress. Stressors are categorized by the manner in which they cause stress. There are four types: physical, chemical, thermal, and emotional.

Good and Bad Stress

Some forms of stress are not necessarily bad for you. Although severe, prolonged stress (distress) always results in disease, mild and intermittent stress (eustress) actually tends to make the body healthier. A good example of eustress is exercise followed by rest. Prolonged distress always results in abnormal function of the adrenal glands that are located above each kidney. They release hormones to help your body adapt to stress.

Managing Stress: Tips to Deal with Stress

We want to help, by showing you how to get rid of some stress and manage the rest. Check out the following strategies.

1. Eliminate unnecessary stresses

You can’t do away with all the stress in your life, and it’s not healthy to avoid situations that need to be addressed. But that said, there are many ways to eliminate unnecessary sources of stress:

• Learn to say "no". Know your limits and stick to them
• Shorten your to-do list. If you’re overloaded, decide which things are “must do.”
• Ask for help. If you have more on your plate than you can handle, tell your boss, family, friends, or coworkers you need help.
• Manage your surroundings. For example, if a TV program makes you anxious, change the channel.
• Avoid aggravating topics. Don’t argue over and over about the same subject with the same people.
  

2. Change the situation

If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to change it. This may mean changing your actions and the way you communicate.

• Express your feelings instead of internalizing them. If something or someone is bothering you, try talking to them about your concerns in a respectful way.
• Compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same and meet them halfway.
• Be more assertive. Deal with your problems head on.
• Manage your time better. Poor time management can make you feel frantic and cause a lot of unnecessary stress.

3. Adapt your perspective

If you can’t change the cause of the stress, you can try to change your perspective. Regain your sense of control, which is critical to managing stress, by changing your expectations and attitude.

• Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective.
• Look at the big picture. Ask yourself how important the stressful situation will be in the long run.
• Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a big source of avoidable stress. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others.
• Focus on the positive. Take time to reflect on all the good things in your life.

4. Make time for fun

Don’t get so busy that you forget to take make time for yourself.

• Schedule daily fun/relaxation. This is your time to take a break and recharge by doing something you enjoy, like walking your dog, exercising, listening to your favorite music, etc.
• Connect with others. Spending time with friends and family will help you weather stressful events.
• Keep your sense of humor. Laughter makes you feel better and actually helps your body fight stress.

5. Live a healthy lifestyle

Improving your physical health helps you increase your resistance to stress.

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity keeps you healthier and helps you ward off the negative effects of stress.
• Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition helps your body handle stress.
• Reduce caffeine and sugar intake. Both often lead to “crashes” in mood and energy.
• Limit alcohol. It can just add to your problems.
• Get enough sleep. You’ll be better able to handle stressful events.

6. Know when to see a doctor

• In some cases, chronic stress can be a sign of a serious condition such as depression. Talk to a doctor if you have:
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Panic attacks
• Muscle tenseness and soreness
• Frequent headaches
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Prolonged feelings of sadness or worthlessness

Fight Stress: Top Healthy Ways to Relax

We hope you can use these simple antistress strategies to make your days less stressful, now and in the future:

• Go for a walk
• Spend time outdoors
• Catch up with a good friend
• Play with a pet
• Keep a daily journal
• Take a long, relaxing bath
• Treat yourself to a massage
• Enjoy a good book
• Listen to music


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