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a-z mental
health :
stress
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I often
feel stressed out because of the demanding life I live. Is stress
a normal part of life? When does my stress become unhealthy
or dangerous? |
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We’ve probably all felt stress.
Sometimes it’s brief and highly situational, like being
in heavy traffic. Other times, it’s more persistent and
complex—relationship problems, an ailing family member,
a spouse’s death. And sometimes, stress can motivate us
to accomplish certain tasks. |
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Stress however becomes dangerous
when it interferes with your ability to live a normal life for
an extended period of time. You may feel “out of control”
and have no idea of what to do, even if the cause is relatively
minor. This in turn, may cause you to feel continually fatigued,
unable to concentrate, or irritable in otherwise relaxed situations.
Prolonged stress may also compound any emotional problems stemming
from sudden events such traumatic experiences in your past,
and increase thoughts of suicide |
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For professional assistance
with stress please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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I
sometimes perspire and have an upset stomach before an important
meeting. Are these normal reactions to stress? What are natural
reactions to stress? |
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Stress can also affect your physical
health because of the human body’s built-in response mechanisms.
You may have found yourself sweating at the thought of an important
date, or felt your heartbeat pick up while watching a scary
movie. Hormones that scientists believe helped our ancestors
cope with the threats and uncertainties of their world cause
these reactions. |
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If the cause of your stress is
temporary, the physical effects are usually short-term as well.
In one study, the pressure of taking exams led to increased
severity of acne among college students, regardless of how they
ate or slept. The condition diminished after exams were over.
Abdominal pain and irregularity have also been linked to situational
stress. |
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The longer your mind feels stressed,
however, the longer your physical reaction systems remain activated.
This can lead to more serious health issues. |
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For professional assistance
with stress please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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My
wife always tells me that I should'nt stress so much as it could
lead to an early death. Is stress in fact hazardous to my health?
What are the physical effects of stress? |
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The old saying that stress “ages”
a person faster than normal was recently verified in a study
of women who had spent many years caring for severely ill and
disabled children. Because their bodies were no longer able
to fully regenerate blood cells, these women were found to be
physically a decade older than their chronological age. |
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Extended reactions to stress can
alter the body’s immune system in ways that are associated
with other “aging” conditions such as frailty, functional
decline, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory
arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. |
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Research also suggests that stress
impairs the brain’s ability to block certain toxins and
other large, potentially harmful molecules. This condition is
also common to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
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Although sudden emotional stress
has been linked to severe heart dysfunction in otherwise healthy
people, scientists are uncertain whether chronic stress alone
causes cardiovascular disease. What is clear is that excessive
stress can worsen existing risk factors such as hypertension
and high cholesterol levels. Studies also show that people who
are quick to anger or who display frequent hostility—a
behavior common to those under stress—have an increased
risk of heart disease and crying fits. |
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Feelings of despair that accompany
stress can easily worsen into chronic depression, a condition
that can lead you to neglect good diet and activity habits.
This, in turn, can put you at a greater risk for heart disease,
obesity, and kidney dysfunction. |
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Stress can also complicate your
ability to recover from a serious illness or nap. A Swedish
study found that women who have suffered heart attacks tend
to have poorer chances of recovery if they are also experiencing
marital stressors such as infidelity, alcohol abuse, and a spouse’s
physical or psychiatric illness. On the other hand, stress management
training is a proven method for helping speed recovery following
a heart attack. |
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For professional assistance
with stress please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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What
can I do to manage my stress more effectively? |
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Learning to deal with stress effectively
is a worthwhile effort, even if you already consider yourself
capable of handling anything life sends your way. |
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Many of the most common long-term
stressors—family illness, recovery after injury, career
pressures—often arise without warning and simultaneously.
Stress management is particularly valuable if your family has
a history of hypertension and other forms of heart disease. |
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Identify the
cause. You may find that your stress arises from something
that’s easy to correct. A psychologist can help
you define and analyze these stressors, and develop action
plans for dealing with them. |
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Monitor your moods. If you
feel stressed during the day, write down what caused it
along your thoughts and moods. Again, you may find the
cause to be less serious than you first thought. |
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Make time for yourself at
least two or three times a week. Even ten minutes a day
of “personal time” can help refresh your mental
outlook and slow down your body’s stress response
systems. Turn off the phone, spend time alone in your
room, exercise, or meditate to your favorite music. |
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Walk away when you’re
angry. Before you react, take time to mentally regroup
by counting to 10. Then look at the situation again. Walking
or other physical activities will also help you work off
steam. |
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Analyze your schedule. Assess
your priorities and delegate whatever tasks you can (e.g.,
order out dinner after a busy day, share household responsibilities).
Eliminate tasks that are “shoulds” but not
“musts.” |
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Set reasonable standards
for yourself and others. Don’t expect perfection. |
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For professional assistance
with stress please call Wellnet on 084 944 9444 and a consultant
will refer you to a counselor in your area. |
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