STRESS --How it helps
--How it harms
How to manage Stress as a Student
. Bothered and upset, distressed young caucasian woman in striped t-shirt feeling huge pain in head, headache, suffering emotional crisis, grab face .
What is stress?
Stress is the reaction of the body to changes or situations that occur that causes physical ,mental or emotional tension.This changes require attention or response.
Whatever seems to demand so much from you can stress you. Fact is that stress will either help you do more to achieve big things or simply bring you down .
We have both helpful and harmful stress. The former gives opportunity for creativity and progress while harmful stress makes you less productive and depressed. Hence, one may lose motivation and drive to do more. Stress is normal and our body will normally adjust to it if it isn’t beyond the body’s capacity. Stress can be the feeling of pressure suffered by a person.
We have four types of stress.
They are:
1. Eustress – This type of stress is the “helpful stress” that drives us to do things that are helpful to us just like the drive to read and prepare more for an exam or interview. We experience this also when we do things that gives us excitement like running , etc.
2. Chronic stress – This type of stress is the “harmful stress”. This is an overly prolonged stress that happens due to bad habits like smoking or when the body reacts to painful situations around us like the death of a loved one, destabilized marriage,etc. This can cause longlasting effects on our health.
3. Acute stress – This type of stress occurs normally on daily basis like during natural disasters like flooding, earthquake etc . This type of stress is usually sharp and sudden and it dies down after awhile.
4. Episodic acute stress – This type of stress is usually continuous. It is also called “distress” . It can be caused by bad parenting, poor living or certain things we cannot change.
As we see the different types of stress ,we know and understand what we pass through easier. Just as “Eustress” helps us and motivates us to do our best to achieve great things, “Chronic stress or distress “ only harm us. Stress can also become harmful when we try to relieve our daily stress in wrong ways. The various types of stress also have different approach to help manage or treat them.
What are the causes of Stress?
There are various causes of stress and we see on a daily basis.
It could be daily inconveniences,. Finances,. Parenting problems,. School work,. Bad habits like taking harmful substances like cocaine or other types of drugs , Works we engage in or our daily jobs,. Relationships, Debt, Loss of loved ones,. Fire outbreak,. Exams,. And many more issues that come up daily.
And with the various causes of Stress, our bodies react differently to stress in ways that help us or in ways that show adjustment is needed somewhere.
Biological reactions to Stress.
We see examples of certain situations that call for immediate response to avoid dangers. More like the “fight or fright” response when something suddenly happens like sighting a snake at the entrance of your doorstep . Certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released. Reactions follow that help you run or scream for help. Series of reactions take place in reaction to shock, surprise or excitement.
Biological reactions to threatening situations cause increased heartbeat, raised eye brows, digestion is slowed down, there are changes in the fun things of the autonomic nervous functions and there is a boost in the body energy that helps to run or quickly do something to help you out of the situation. This reactions occur more to avoid dangers and they also help in similar ways to cope during stressful times.
When we are no more stressed or borthered by threatening situations or certain activities ,the body relaxes and adjusts to it’s normal condition.
But when the body remains in constant state of stress, it causes harmful effects.
Signs that show your body has been stressed.
There are various pointers that alerts you when you have stressed yourself or you are stressed physically or emotionally.
Signs of stress include ;
1. Tiredness (feeling exhausted)
2. Body pains ,head aches,…
3. Loss or increase in appetite
4. Tension in the face, shoulders or neck muscles.
5. Dizziness
6. Sweaty palms
7. Sleeping disorders
8. Increased heartbeat
9. Stomach troubles
10. Increase or decrease in weight
Harmful effects of chronic stress .
When one undergoes stress for a long time continuously , it could have harmful effects on such a person. Harmful effects that may result from negative stress include:
1.Depresssion
2.Difficulty sleeping
3.Elevated blood pressure
4.Chest pain
5.Anxiety and worry
6. Panic and anxiety
7.Panic
8. Difficulty concentrating amd forgetfulness
9. Skin problems
10. Moodiness
11. Sexual dysfunction
12. Change in menstrual cycles
13. Tooth or gum diseases
14. Ulcers
15.Worsening of certain symptoms of diseases
16. Frustration
17. Hair loss
18. Susceptabity to certain diseases like heart attack, etc
Knowing fully well that when one is stressed beyond the body's limit, there is certainly going to be some harmful effects on one's health , there are things we can do to get rid of our stress and manage it in ways that won't affect us negatively.
How to manage stress and avoid being overstressed.
Be positive . Be optimistic. Face issues with the positive side of you . You will cretainly get the best out of situations.
You don't have to see situations as above you or beyond your capacity. Also believe that at times there are sutuations you can't change or control.
Eat healthy and balanced meals – more of veggies and fruits.
Know when you need rest and get refreshed. Sleep at the right time.
Exercise your body. You can go to the gym or practise early morning jogging.
Spend your time well and impactfully.
Know your limits. Don't overuse yourself . Keep calm when under tension. This will help you.
Don't depend on drugs and alcohol. These things harm you more.
Avoid bad habits and compulsive behaviours that people engage in to reduce their obsession like eating too much, spending long hours on the internet, etc.
Medical treatment like medications and therapy (Psychotheraphy, CBT) can help you more. Also ask for help around when you need it.
Keep contacts with loved ones and family. Keep good company.
Live happily and be in health!
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