Many people find identifying Stress very difficult and confusing. Not all stress is bad and helps us to be motivated, competitive and pushes us to work effectively with impetus. But when stress levels are too high for too long then stress can become a dangerous killer contributing to heart attacks and strokes.
Stress usually occurs when you face a situation of internally recognized stimulus that is considered threatening, frustrating or out of your control. In animals, when faced by threats they display the “fight or flight” response. If they perceive their opponent as weaker than they are they prepare to fight. If the opponent is perceived as stronger then the animal will escape the situation and take flight. There is a third response to threatening situations, the response of freeze where the animal is paralysed with fear.
People are similar to animals in the three reactions of fight, flight or freeze. Whether the threat is physical, emotional or psychological our body prepares itself in a similar way. the brain puts the body on alert by producing more of the so-called 'fight or flight' hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones can alter the body in the following ways:
Stress
Take Control of Stress. Take control of your Life!
-Raise blood pressure.
-Increase heartbeat.
-Reduce blood flow to the skin.
-Increase Perspiration.
-Reduce stomach activity, causing a feeling of “butterflies”.
The body also produces another hormone, called cortisol. Cortisol releases sugar and fat into the system to raise energy levels in preparation of the “fight” or flight response, improving reaction times and helping us to think fast, whether to defend ourselves or escape a dangerous situation but reduces the efficiency of the immune system, so we fight infections less well.
This is where the problem occurs. Our body produces the same response to threats or stresses that do not require the fight or flight response. Example
You have to be at an interview and the train is running late creating a psychological stress, the fight or flight response starts and on the journey we are worried and nervous or wound up and angry this flows into the interview which in turn goes badly.
A crucial factor in when this fight or flight response is activated is our perception of the situations we find ourselves in, the real or imagined consequences of our actions, Familiarity of situations and the response we previously used. The importance of our actions in determining out future and the future of people close to us. Whether we feel we are overloaded or that the pressure is on us to perform. Everyone is unique in how they respond to pressures in their life
Top 10 stressors:
-Death of a partner
-Divorce
-Separation from partner
-Imprisonment
-Death of a close family member
-Personal illness or injury
-Marriage
-Dismissal from work
-Change of job
-Retirement.
(Holmes and Rahe (1967)
When stress levels are constantly high and the body is constantly pressured many different resulting negative reactions can occur.
-Change in appetite
-Frequent colds and illness due to low immunity
-Chronic back pain
-Digestive problems
-Headaches and migraines
-Skin eruptions
-Sexual disorders
-Aches and pains
-Feelings of intense and long term tiredness
-Palpitations and feelings of tightness in the chest
-Worsening allergic response
-Chronic hyperventilation which can lead to angina
-High blood pressure
-Auto immune diseases such as ME
Stress can also alter our behaviour and decrease our optimal functioning giving us habits (coping strategies) these can include:
-Nail biting
-Hair pulling (trichotillomania)
-Increased smoking or drinking
-Change in sleep patterns
-Road rage/anger
-More accident prone
-Emotional outbursts
There are many more than this short list represents.
-Build self esteem so that you find enjoyment where once you were daunted.
-Change your internal fight of flight responses
-Help you identify your personal stressors then reframe them.
-New productive coping strategies.
-Relaxation techniques/self hypnosis.
-Look toward beneficial lifestyle changes
-Take time to relax and have fun to recharge yourself.
-Prioritise your health.
-Relieve symptoms at the cause.
Put the control back into your life, control your stress, control of your health & Control of your future!
Assertions can help you manage your stress levels.
What can you do about your stress levels?
telephone: 01462-440 182