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Health Matters
What
is Stress?
One definition of stress is that
it is 'the reaction of an organism when exposed to
environmental stimuli called stressors'. Stress can
be seen as a response to a stimulus, a change, and a demand of
a set of circumstances. It does in fact reflect the ordinary
pressures of day to day living as well as extraordinary
pressures, which confront each of us from time to time.
It
is inevitable if we are alive. Stress reactions are not all
bad. They can be helpful or pleasurable. Some stress is
necessary. It keeps us mentally alert and stable. Stressors
represent challenge, pressure and stimulation, which can in
turn lead to the satisfaction of accomplishment.
The only time when we have a zero stress rating is when we are
dead.
Talked about positively, stress is sometimes called 'eustress'.
In its negative sense it can be termed 'distress'.
Symptoms of stress which you must take seriously:
Recurrent headaches
Ringing in the ears or frequent
head noises
Frequent use of self-prescribed drugs
Palpitations and chest pains
Frequent heartburn, stomach cramps, diarrhoea
Inability to swallow
Feeling that you may pass out
Susceptibility to
seasonal illnesses
Loss of former concentration
Loss of former reliable memory
A new difficulty in thinking around problems
A new inability to reach
satisfactory decisions
Feeling of being very low or dulled
A shut down in all emotions except
anger and irritation
Drying up of all joy, laughter and pleasure
Lessening of active love and caring
or their disappearance
Bursting into tears for no particular reason very frequently.
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