Stress of life and living with stress, can take quite its toll on each of us at different stages and times of our lives. Managing this stress, principles and strategies, personal action plans for our own health and well being should be considered a top priority.
There are numerous studies that argue quite convincingly that there are very powerful instinct at work in how we deal/cope with stress.
It is founded on the Fight-or-Flight Response principle (the survival of the fittest type responses). Stress management for wellness, seen holistically, is the new buzzword of our time.
Much scientific discover sheds light on stress and will continue to do so as we grapple to understand it better in order to cope with it more. Brain-mapping of people under prolonged stress and noticeable, measurable differences can be seen through visualization-type capture.
Cholesterol levels are higher in people more prone and vulnerable to stress (even in healthy adults) and there are links established between serotonin receptors in our brains and how we are hard-wired to respond to stress.
It seems that much more important then that we prepare ourselves better to deal with these demands and issues in our lives and existence just a little better. Many research pioneers in this field, argue that the inability to cope with life, stressful events, scenarios, not coping, can put us increasingly at risk and may even underlie disease and development of illness.
Dr. Hans Selye was one of the first as early as the 1950s to point out that neuro-endrocrinological factors are at play with things like stress. We need to be able to adapt to the environment, stimuli and stressors, the effects on body, spirit, soul, mind, thoughts, actions etc.
What better motivation then can there be than to embrace coping with stress better, and getting rid of it for good!
Just imagine how wonderful it can be if we can all take a little time to focus on what really matters in life! Lessen and reduce even work-related stress.
Stress research today is still asking for the most part when adaptive processes stop being essential for life and become damaging to health. Why some individuals are more vulnerable to chronic stress than others is also an unresolved phenomenon. A recognized fact is that we all have certain neural, endocrine and immunological responses to stress, albeit different.
According to what psychologists refer to as the bio-psycho-social (or MASH) model of stress and behavior, there are numerous coping mechanics and framework in various levels and aspects, life of an individual at play, including personal, work, family, relationships, couples etc. Aspects of problem-solving, communication, flexibility and closeness (cohesion) are at the very heart of what makes the difference for success and results with stress.
Survival hormones are just part of the story though when dealing with stress. They can just as easily take us to new heights and places we have never been before, as much as they could hinder us and our processes. These stress hormones can affect you in many ways. Here are just some of what happens when your body is under strain, submitted to stress:
a) Heart rate goes up
b) blood pressure increases
c) more oxygen and blood sugar moved throughout the body
d) All systems work together and are on/at edge to support major muscles
e) Sweating increases
It does not have to be a life-threatening situation or circumstance, condition that gets our backs and hormones in a twist.
When something unpredictable, uncertain or unexpected happens, the same hormones will trigger these responses; so they are a normal part of life. But when they get out of control, is when we need to worry.
Small threats, disappointments, frustrations, every day life, can all be distractions, triggers or stressors in and around our lives prompting these actions, thoughts and responses.
Here are just some of the things that happen to us when we are under this amount of stress:
a) accident-prone
b) Anxiety
c) Body is ready for total mobilization, response (fight/flight)
d) Difficulty completing and focusing on tasks in the moment due to the stress response
e) Excitement
f) Faster breathing
g) Feeling jumpy
h) Feeling of calm, rational, controlled, and socially sensitive behaviors might go out the window in its totality.
A good mechanism for coping with stress is the ability to tell that something is amiss, that you are suffering from stress and need to do something about it.
Here, many of us are challenged at best. So, how do you tell you are stressed? You can use this shortlist provided above for diagnostic purposes. There are assessments online and in many disciplines or you can consult with a professional that can assist you with a formal diagnosis.
