Each of us experiences stress in different ways, but the one thing we all have in common, is stress itself.
During stressful periods, levels of adrenaline are raised, which induces the heart rate to increase, as well as respiration and blood pressure.
Stress can be helpful in its own way, in that it incentivizes us to meet an increasing number of deadlines with in the same period of time.
However, sustained stress can be exceptionally harmful to us and can lead to chronic disease and even death.
In order to come to terms with stress, we need to understand how it is caused, how it affects us, and how we can manage it.
The causes of stress can basically be broken down into two main elements, namely instinctive and systematic stress.
Instinctive stress is usually attributed to "fight or flight" reaction.
This is the oldest type of stress and has been around since ancient times before even civilizations fully formed.
During the times of Homo erectus, staying alive was of paramount importance.
Stress was particularly helpful when hunting for food and defense against large predatory animals or enemies.
In times of danger, the pituitary gland would release a hormone that would signal the adrenal glands to excrete adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones allowed prehistoric humans to speed up reactions and provide temporary boost for physical strength and agility either to fight the oncoming danger or to flee.
Systemic stress is an automatic response to situational pressures such as meeting deadlines and increasing workloads.
Although we all suffer from stress at one time or another, some people are able to handle stress better than others.
In fact, they thrive on it, but is this a healthy situation? Studies have shown that children who lived under stressful situations in the home environment, were at a greater risk of becoming stressed by everyday life challengers.
Although stress can be beneficial in that it can save lives, stress can also be detrimental to our health.
Sustained stress can cause specific disorders, both mentally and physically, which can include headaches, digestive problems, eating disorders, insomnia, fatigue as well as lowering the effectiveness of the immune system.
Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, which in turn leads to heart disease and strokes.
Even though some of us can handle stress better than others, stress is cumulative and will eventually cause damage.
As the pace of life gets ever faster, we can never get rid of stress.
However, there are ways and means in which we can manage stress and turn it to our advantage.
One of the easiest ways to manage stress is to take a break after every hour of work.
Stand up and walk away from the workstation and stretch.
As you are stretching, take a deep breath and count to 10.
While you are doing this, close your eyes and try to keep your mind clear of all thoughts.
This action allows you to sort out this stressful situation, regain your composure, increase oxygen intake, and to center your mind for the next stressful period.
During stressful periods, levels of adrenaline are raised, which induces the heart rate to increase, as well as respiration and blood pressure.
Stress can be helpful in its own way, in that it incentivizes us to meet an increasing number of deadlines with in the same period of time.
However, sustained stress can be exceptionally harmful to us and can lead to chronic disease and even death.
In order to come to terms with stress, we need to understand how it is caused, how it affects us, and how we can manage it.
The causes of stress can basically be broken down into two main elements, namely instinctive and systematic stress.
Instinctive stress is usually attributed to "fight or flight" reaction.
This is the oldest type of stress and has been around since ancient times before even civilizations fully formed.
During the times of Homo erectus, staying alive was of paramount importance.
Stress was particularly helpful when hunting for food and defense against large predatory animals or enemies.
In times of danger, the pituitary gland would release a hormone that would signal the adrenal glands to excrete adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones allowed prehistoric humans to speed up reactions and provide temporary boost for physical strength and agility either to fight the oncoming danger or to flee.
Systemic stress is an automatic response to situational pressures such as meeting deadlines and increasing workloads.
Although we all suffer from stress at one time or another, some people are able to handle stress better than others.
In fact, they thrive on it, but is this a healthy situation? Studies have shown that children who lived under stressful situations in the home environment, were at a greater risk of becoming stressed by everyday life challengers.
Although stress can be beneficial in that it can save lives, stress can also be detrimental to our health.
Sustained stress can cause specific disorders, both mentally and physically, which can include headaches, digestive problems, eating disorders, insomnia, fatigue as well as lowering the effectiveness of the immune system.
Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, which in turn leads to heart disease and strokes.
Even though some of us can handle stress better than others, stress is cumulative and will eventually cause damage.
As the pace of life gets ever faster, we can never get rid of stress.
However, there are ways and means in which we can manage stress and turn it to our advantage.
One of the easiest ways to manage stress is to take a break after every hour of work.
Stand up and walk away from the workstation and stretch.
As you are stretching, take a deep breath and count to 10.
While you are doing this, close your eyes and try to keep your mind clear of all thoughts.
This action allows you to sort out this stressful situation, regain your composure, increase oxygen intake, and to center your mind for the next stressful period.
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