Stress: A Health and Relationship Killer

What is Stress ?

There are many different definitions of stress. Some define stress to be a disturbance of a person’s normal psychological or physiological state. Others consider stress to be a situational factor or distressing circumstance external to the person. Some use the word "stress" as a term equivalent to "arousal" and "activation"; it is also used as a term for "bad effects". The many different definitions of stress have caused a great deal of ambiguity and confusion about the subject. When reading an article, listening to a lecture or participating in a discussion about stress, be sure the definition being used is clear.
One of the most useful definitions of stress is as follows: Stress is an internal process that occurs when a person is faced with a demand that is perceived to exceed the resources available to effectively respond to it, and where failure to effectively deal with the demand has important undesirable consequences. In other words, stress is experienced when there is an awareness of a substantial imbalance between demand and capability, under conditions where failure to meet the demand is perceived to have unwanted consequences.
Related Concepts
Perception and awareness of the imbalance between demand and capability and the negative consequences of not meeting the demand is needed in order for the person to experience stress. The perception does not have to be accurate, however. A false belief can cause significant stress.
Stressors are the events and thoughts that lead the person to perceive that a threatening demand is being made. Strain is the negative effects of stress. Strain may appear as fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, medical and physical problems, insomnia, depression, anxiety, over eating, drug and alcohol abuse, risk taking, or diminished functioning, to name a few of the possibilities.
Stress can be positive and negative. On the positive side it alerts us to a threat and increases our level of arousal and activation which can help us be more effective in coping with the threat. It is mismanaged stress or an over-abundance of stress which causes strain and can be devastating for the person or the system.
The Process of Stress
When a potential stressor is perceived as threatening, the person’s level of arousal is increased and stress is experienced.
The person selects from the available resources a coping response that is expected to be effective in reducing or eliminating the stressor.
If stress is successfully reduced the person experiences a relaxation of arousal and increased confidence in being able to handle future stressors.
If the coping response is not successful stress and increased arousal continue. If new strategies are not tried or are unsuccessful the prolonged stress and increased arousal results in strain.
Stress Management
There is no absolute right way to manage stress. The best approach is to assess the specific situation, tailor the method to the particulars of the situation, and then monitor its effectiveness. Stress management is directed at one or more of the five interacting components involved in the stress process: 1) demand, 2) awareness, 3) arousal, 4) capability, and 5) the negative consequences. Here are some examples:
Identify and lessen the demands or increase capability by setting limits, i.e. saying "no", and by not taking on additional responsibilities before the existing ones are met or under control. Get more time or get extra help, or increase your effectiveness by utilizing better tools or by acquiring additional training.
Awareness, perception or the cognitive component, is likely the most important aspect. We need to be aware of all of the relevant issues concerning the demands, our capabilities, resources, and the potential consequences. We need to see these things accurately and clearly and plan accordingly. Our beliefs will determine how we handle the issues and how we feel. We could cause ourselves unnecessary stress by having false beliefs, or by being catastrophic in our thinking and believing something is awful or terrible when it is only difficult or unpleasant. We could also put ourselves in danger by having false beliefs, by using denial and avoidance and by not being aware of or perceiving a real threat.
Do something to reduce the arousal and tension and lower the level of activation. Take a break and stop thinking about the demands and consequences, relax and refocus on pleasant events. Work off the extra tension by exercising or participating in recreation and play. Get a massage, or take a vacation. The use of drugs or medication should be avoided or used only as a temporary last resort, because something needs to be changed not just tolerated.
Eliminate or lessen the effect of the negative consequences by preparing for them, changing the circumstances, or changing your thinking. Examples include putting money in an emergency savings account, buying insurance, changing jobs, crime prevention, earthquake preparedness, accepting what can’t be changed and refocusing your thinking and energy into the what can be done to overcome the negative and make things better. Professional treatment can help minimize or eliminate any physical or psychological problems that have developed because of the stress.
Everyone experiences stress and is vulnerable to it. We do not, however, have to be helpless victims to it. We can manage it, reduce and control it, and can minimize or prevent the negative consequences.
Stress: Push the Limits and Risk Death
There are some similarities between mechanical systems and human systems that are useful in appreciating the powerful effects of stress. Every system, human or mechanical, has limits and requirements for effective functioning. Each system operates within the limits of tolerance for demands, pressures and tensions placed upon it. The electrical circuits in your house are capable of handling a limited amount of power. When more energy is demanded than is safe to handle, the circuit is broken or a fuse is blown. If the water pressure in your plumbing is higher than it is designed to handle, a fitting will eventually leak or burst. If you run your new automobile hard all the time and neglect the proper maintenance, it will start giving you trouble and will deteriorate more quickly. Keep neglecting it and it will breakdown and force you to attend to it. Pushing a system beyond its limits and neglecting proper maintenance invites deterioration and breakdown.
Just like machines, human systems have limits and breaking points and require maintenance. If you are under increased pressure, push yourself hard and neglect the proper maintenance on yourself, you will also deteriorate and eventually have a breakdown. Your body will force you to stop and attend to it. If you neglect the maintenance in your marital relationship, your spouse will start giving you trouble, there will be a deterioration of the relationship and a breakdown in communication and goodwill. Don’t push yourself so hard that you use up all your best and have nothing left for your spouse and family but fatigue, intolerance and irritability. Don’t risk the loss of your personal relationships or the loss of your health. Save some of your best for your loved ones and yourself.
Stress can be Harmful to Your Health
Inappropriately handled stress can be devastating. It lowers our resistance and makes us more vulnerable to illness and disease. The increased inner pressure can cause our health to deteriorate resulting in a variety of serious physical problems. Stress victims can become emotional cripples and physiologically old and run down long before their time. Stress can cause a loss of not only health, but also loss of jobs, loss of families, even loss of life.
Stress can be Harmful to Others
People under stress also make more mistakes, and these mistakes can cause others to be secondary victims to someone else’s stress. I would not want to have surgery by a stressed surgeon or be cared for by a stressed nursing staff. Nor would I want to be a passenger on a plane maintained by a stressed maintenance crew or flown by a stressed pilot.
Common Symptoms of Stress

Physiological &Behavioral
Increased heart rateRise in blood pressureDryness of mouth & throatSweating Tightness of chestHeadacheNausea, vomitingIndigestionDiarrheaTrembling, twitchingGrinding of teethInsomniaAnorexiaFatigueSlumped posturePain, tightness in neck and back musclesUrinary frequencyMissed menstrual cycleReduced interest in sexHyperventilationAccidents and accident pronenessAltered food intakePoor concentrationDisinterest in activitiesDecreased involvement with othersBickeringSmokingUse of alcohol and drugsIncreased use of sarcasmTendency to cry easilyNightmaresComplaining, criticizing
Affective
IrritabilityDepressionAngry outburstsEmotional instabilityWithdrawalRestlessnessAnxietySuspiciousnessJealousyIncreased startle reactionDecreased frustration tolerance
Cognitive
ForgetfulnessPoor judgmentPoor concentrationReduced creativityLess fantasizingErrors in math and grammarPreoccupationInattention to detailsBlockingReduced productivityDiminished problem solving
Spiritual
Expressed concerns about belief system.Expressed concerns about relationshipwith a clergy.Separation from cultural and religiousrelationships.


Courtesy : Larry Alan...