Stress is the emotional and physical way in which we respond to pressure, it is a strain on our body caused by that pressure. Stress can cause physical and mental symptoms, it affects people differently. Stress is not only brought on by unpleasant events but by happy changes as well. Such as having a new baby, buying a house and weddings etc. It is almost impossible to live without stress. The problem is if the stress gets out of control then it can harm your health, relationships, job and your enjoyment of life.
There are 5 things you need to know about stress.
1.) Stress can be short and long termed. Short term can be easier to manage, but side effects can be present in both. For example, poor immunity can become dangerous over the long term leading to cancer and heart disease. A compromised immune system can cause benign fever blisters. Side effects of stress can cause normal healthy physical, mental and emotional action to slow down or stop altogether.
2.) Stress can cause a person to gain weight, causing your metabolism to work against you. Stress hormones send a message to your metabolic system that says fat must be stored rather than used up.
3.) Insomnia and restlessness which leads to sleep deprivation the long term effect can cause emotional problems.
4.) Mood disorders brought on by stress can lead to depression. It causes tension and anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
5.) Stress impacts the brain. It can cause memory loss, increased propensity towards accidents, impulsiveness and poor judgement are possible side effects of stress. Stress also causes headaches, difficulty in concentrating and a general scatterbrained feeling.
There are different life events that cause stress. The Holmes-Raye Scale scores them according to the stress they cause. The greater the stress, the higher the number. Death of a spouse -100 pts. Divorce -73 pts. Marriage -50 pts. Pregnancy -40 pts. Buying a