Stress Essay
Stress Essay
Stress Essay
What is stress?
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your
balance in some way. When you sense dangerwhether its real or imaginedthe body's
defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the fight-or-flight-orfreeze reaction, or the stress response.
The stress response is the bodys way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you
stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your lifegiving you
extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an
accident.
The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes
during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when youre attempting the gamewinning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV.
But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your
health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.
The Bodys Stress Response
When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and
cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action.
Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical
changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focuspreparing you to either fight or
flee from the danger at hand.
Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways
people respond when theyre overwhelmed by stress:
Foot on both
Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems
Moodiness
Inability to concentrate
Poor judgment
Feeling overwhelmed
Constant worrying
Physical Symptoms
Behavioral Symptoms
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea, dizziness
Procrastinating or neglecting
Frequent colds
responsibilities
Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can also be caused by other psychological or
medical problems. If youre experiencing any of the warning signs of stress, its important to see
a doctor for a full evaluation. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not your symptoms
are stress-related.
Never
Almost
Some-
Fairly
Very
Never
times
Often
Often
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Stress Test
do?
Score:
Interpreting the score:
Score
0 to 10
11 to
Average. Your life is far from stress-free so now is the time to learn how
14
15 to
18
19 +
High. Youre experiencing high levels of stress. The higher your score, the
Next
Step
Causes of stress
The situations and pressures that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of
stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship.
However, anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This
includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a
promotion.
Of course, not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be self-generated, for
example, when you worry excessively about something that may or may not happen, or have
irrational, pessimistic thoughts about life.
What causes stress depends, at least in part, on your perception of it. Something that's stressful to
you may not faze someone else; they may even enjoy it. For example, your morning commute
may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others,
however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy
listening to music while they drive.
Common external causes of stress
Financial problems
Work or school
Relationship difficulties
Chronic worry
Unrealistic expectations/Perfectionism
Pessimism
Negative self-talk
All-or-nothing attitude
Karen is terrified of getting up in front of people to perform or speak, while her best
friend,Nina, lives for the spotlight.
Phil thrives under pressure and performs best when he has a tight deadline, while his coworker, Matt, shuts down when work demands escalate.
Anita enjoys helping her elderly parents. Her sister, Constance, helps out as well but finds
the demands of caretaking very stressful.
Richard doesnt hesitate to send food back or complain about bad service when eating out,
while his wife, Miranda, finds it much too stressful to complain.