Adults and Stress

 

Adults & Stress

Is this you? Both people in this scene are looking like they are overwhelmed!

Are you just hanging on?

Are you overwhelmed by life events or incidents

OR

Upset about the way you thought you saw or heard something?

Life in the fast lane. STRESS is all around, how do YOU get out of this mess?

Adults & Stress

The first thing to realize is, your response to issues in your life, is the stress producer. Reducing your STRESS levels means that you learn to respond to situations differently, in a way that is healthy for you and your body.

STRESS is a learned behavioural response and can be reduced through meditation, practicing Stress Management Techniques, learning about your Stress Triggers and your Perception of them and practicing Relaxation Responses.

There are two ways your body will react to STRESS:

1. Acute Alarm Reaction; This is the fight or flight mode of thought. It can help you in a time of extreme emergency, when you are physically threatened. This is a healthy function of the body. It can save your life. Your heart pumps faster, blood gets to all parts of the body faster and with greater force, your blood pressure elevates, your lungs respond by delivering more oxygen to your muscle tissues (your breathing is more rapid), you become prepared for the need to move. Simultaneously your brain begins to stimulate powerful adrenaline-like chemicals called catecholamines, so you have the option of confronting the danger (fighting back) or running away.

2. Lasting Awareness: This is the way the body prepares for a long-term challenge. During this condition of alertness your brain stimulates the release of another powerful chemical, cortisol. This allows your blood pressure to rises slowly and steadily, you retain vital chemicals such as sodium (salt), your metabolism slows down, gastric acid increases to maximize the calories you get from food, high energy fats and blood clotting agents are released into your bloodstream, energy is diverted from your immune system and "non essentials" hormones, are dramatically suppressed. Your body is prepared for the long haul.

Many of us live in an alert mode throughout most of our adult lives. It is estimated that 80% of all medical complaints are STRESS related. According to the Centre for Disease Control 60% of all diseases are related to an individual's lifestyle. High STRESS levels are linked to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and suicides

There are many ways you will react emotionally.

1. For a short while you may cry, sulk, want to be alone or become angry and feel like you need to stay away from others in case you explode. A minor state of depression may set in or an anxiety over the issue happening again.You may feel you some control over your emotional response and behaviour. Or, you may become explosive, crying, whaling, swearing, very angry, throw things and stomp out of the house or office. You may feel out of control of your emotional state and behaviour..

2. In the long term you may become submerged in your self, wallow in your feelings, thinking very negatively over and over, for long periods of time. Anxiety attacks may predominate your day, fearing the worst and the what if's. You may not want to socialize or eat or have difficulty sleeping due to the repetitive negative thoughts in your head. You may feel "down" about yourself for longer periods of time, feeling you have lost any motivation or energy you used to have. You may not be able to let go of the sadness, hurt, anger or fear  these issues have triggered for you.

The Good News is Stress Management and Relaxation Therapy, along with wanting to be a

part of making things different for yourself is the key!

Wanting to live and feel differently is the first step to learning how to manage STRESS in your life.

Book an Stress Assessment with Janet and begin to understand what your triggers are, learn how to let go of emotional baggage and become aware of how you want to live and manage STRESSFUL situations in your life.

Cognitive Symptoms	Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems Indecisiveness Inability to concentrate Trouble thinking clearly Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying Loss of objectivity Fearful anticipation	Moodiness Agitation Restlessness Short temper Irritability, impatience Inability to relax Feeling tense and “on edge” Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms	Behavioural Symptoms
Headaches or backaches Muscle tension and stiffness Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Insomnia Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Weight gain or loss Skin breakouts (hives, eczema) Loss of sex drive Frequent colds	Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastination, neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing) Teeth grinding or jaw clenching Overdoing activities (e.g. exercising, shopping) Overreacting to unexpected problems Picking fights with others

As we continue to be pushed my work demands, the world of media, parental responsibilities and the almighty dollar, we become more tense, less sensitive to the needs of our loved ones and a society that depends on the quick fix of the medical community to cure what ails us. Faster has proven to be no better.

Remember "Life is 10% of what you make it and 90% of how you take it"

get-smart0203@live.com