What is stress? In our cave man days stress was man's survival - the fight or flight instinct which got you out of trouble.
In response to threat certain body mechanisms kick in:
- the adrenal glands increase production of adrenaline
- blood sugar is released into the blood stream to produce instant energy
- the heart rate increases and the blood pressure rises
- breathing becomes more rapid
- the muscles tense ready for action
- the body "shuts down" non essential activities like digestion and some hormone production
In many instances it is a short-term response that translated into modern times helps us deal with everyday situations such as our working and home commitments, exams, the argument with your partner, moving home and making ends meet. More than one of you will be familiar with the rising levels of tension you experience when you have two kids in the back of the car, St Andrews is full of tourists, you've run out of parking vouchers and you only want to get some money from the bank - and that was the highlight of the day.
Stress is where we think we can't cope.
Robert Holden in his book Stress Busters tells us that it is our need to cope which causes high levels of stress and how we react to it will decide how it affects us.
A quick glance at the type of questions asked in the quiz will give you a good idea of various other causes of stress.
The damage occurs when a short-term response is not appropriate and the body is forced into long term changes. Unlike running from a hairy mammoth that argument and its effects may last all day or all week for that matter.
And stress has a tendency to accumulate.
It may start as muscle pain in the neck, shoulders or lower back.
You may feel the muscles in your neck and shoulders tightening or be suddenly aware that your shoulders are making their own journey up towards your ears.
We have a tendency to treat it all as normal, we get used to little aches and pains and don't pay particular attention until more stress factors have an affect.
Other symptoms include
- difficulty in sleeping
- in concentration
- mood changes.
- you may feel fatigued, irritable, weepy or restless.
- palpitations
- headaches
- digestive problems from indigestion to constipation & diarrhoea
- frequent colds & flu are also common
- while more severe problems include ulcers, stroke and heart attack
The good news is there are a number of ways you can learn to deal with stress without even leaving your home.
