Effects of Stress and Management

Effects of Stress and Management

Stress has been discovered as one of the leading reasons why people contemplate, and eventually commit suicide. These studies have elicited heated debates on the best methods people can use to deal with stress in society. The debates have called for effective stress management techniques. Stress management is a set of ideas, and procedures, which focus on how people can deal with stress in their daily lives by a set of actions, which minimize their effects. Pressure may have detrimental effects on the person affected and if not carefully monitored, can result in several devastating consequences, and worse off, death. Stress can have several physical consequences. During stress, the physical body develops responses such as the increase in the heart rates, quick breathing, rise in blood pressure, and the tightening of the muscles. The effects of stress on the physical body are peculiar to every gender. Some studies have linked obesity to stress in women. The effect is more pronounced among women than men. Stress increases the amount of hormone cortisol, which studies have linked to overeating. Overeating causes the body to store more fat. Stress can also worsen breathing problems among asthma or emphysema patients. The detrimental effects of stress the body have called for its effective management using various techniques.

Effects of Stress on Human Health

Stress symptoms may have detrimental effects on human health incognito. Many associate nagging headaches, and insomnia to illness when the real cause may be stress. A research done by the American Psychological Association (APA), asserts that chronic stress can cause chronic illness. Long lasting stresses are worse for the normal functioning of the body. According to APA, stress can cause fatigue, a low concentration at work or involuntary irritation. Chronic stress was further assessed to be causing wear and tear to the body due to its catastrophic effects. Due to stress, the existing problems can be made worse. In the same study done by the APA, about half of the participants managed to stop their stress, by learning to avoid negative thoughts of the pains they go through. In separate research by the Mayo Clinicians, stress was found to have effects on both the body and behavior (Olpin, 26). These findings were consistent with the conclusions of the APA research. According to the clinic, stress causes anxiety and restlessness. On the bit of the anxiety, stress can be positive, what is called “eustress.” “Getting a job promotion or being charged with more responsibility are some of the causes of positive stress” (Patterson, 35).

Studies have linked excessive stress to muscles tension, chest pain, and fatigue. In this case, the pressure is termed as “distress.” “In most cases, distress can be more detrimental to the body compared to eustress” (Abel, 66). When someone faces constant challenges in life, without getting a proper break for relaxation, distress can kill. Distress results in depression as a person become overworked as tension accumulates. Distress can lead to high blood pressure, and sleep disorders. Some people engage in drugs thinking it is leeway for evading stress (Arora, 227). The results have been the opposite in most cases. People who take alcohol, tobacco, and other substances to manage stress have had worse experiences than those who therapeutically manage their stress.

Research from the Occupational Safety, and Health Administration (OSHA) released statistics that forty-four percent of the adults who suffer health compilations because of stress engage in wasteful alcohol consumption. Out of this percentage, twenty-three percent reported having been involved in road accidents, which caused physical injuries. Seventy percent of all doctor’s visit was related to stress and related complaints. OSHA attest to the high government expenditures on matters related to stress. “The government of the US spends a whopping $ 300 billion annually on stress management” (Arora, 231). This amount may not be spent directly on stressed persons, but it may encompass the other aspects of the effects of stress.

Stress is also an issue of behavioral concerns among individuals. It causes either overeating or underrating. Stress also causes social withdrawal and angry outbursts. The emotional withdrawal has several effects (Olpin, 76). Many studies link suicide to social withdrawal. We understand that people tend to commit suicide mostly when they are alone in secrete premises. The secrecy mostly comes in due to social withdrawal. Such a person detaches himself or herself from friends, and even relatives. Suicidal contemplation is a reality, which hits an individual when alone in most cases. If there is nobody near such a person, the effects may result in death. Many at times people use various methods of committing suicide, including poising their drinks.

Dealing with Stress

Stress can be managed from various perspectives. But most importantly, the whole process begins with taking steps. First and foremost, friends are significant in a society that they cannot be ignored. Be assertive. Sharing our thoughts concerning what we go through in life can earn us some stress-free life. If something torments you and you keep quiet about it, not even your friends will know. Taking a step to share releases you of more forthcoming stresses. The person may have the idea required to navigate your problem (Arora, 229). Secondly, we all know finances are crucial to our daily survival. A good of research has also linked financial stress to suicide. The society should create awareness through sensitization approaches. However, sensitization may only help those who open up to talk about their problems. The society must be sensitive through various counselling seminars about the ups and downs of life. “We may have some social status, which may tend to decline with the decline in the finances” (Clark, 13). Most do not want to accept this fact and tend to live in a world of fantasy for long.

Regular physical exercises can relieve stress. Stress is inevitable. Exercising body and mind are key steps of improving physical conditions and fighting disease-causing pathogens. Physicians always encourage people to stay physically active. Physical exercise maintains mental fitness. Studies have shown that physical exercise can reduce fatigue, hence, improving alertness, and concentration, thus enhancing the overall cognitive function in an individual. This can be of great help in situations when stress has depleted the ability to concentrate. Stress can impact the body by affecting the nerve connections in the brain (Clark, 16). The physical activities produce endorphins, a chemical substance in the brain, which acts as a natural pain reliever. Endorphin improves the ability to sleep, thus relieving stress.

Psychologists Dr. Albert Ellis created the ABC technique if dealing with stress. ABC is an acronym which stands for adversity, beliefs, and consequences. The ABC approach and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) developed by Albert work in conjunction to manage stress (Clark, 18). The CBT is a restructured technique for understanding the negative emotions in an individual and challenging these emotions by the correct belief that caused them. What is essential in dealing with stress is to identify the sources of stress in your life. As it is, we cannot manage what we do not know. Sources such as changing moods, divorce are more comfortable to identify. But there are those who lie down deep in ourselves, which without serious introspection, we cannot identify (Arora, 230). The other technique for stress management is the 4 A’s technique. This means to Avoid, Alter, Adapt & Accept. Avoid the unnecessary stress, alter the situation, adapt to the stressor, and accept the things you cannot change. Stress management is paramount for a healthy life.

Scientists and researchers have shown that the overall participation in aerobic exercise has reduced the overall levels of tension, stabilizes moods, and improve sleep as well as self-esteem. “Exercises remain the most recommended method of dealing with stress as per the physicians” (Olpin, 98). Additionally, exercise reduces body hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline while stimulating the production of endorphin as mentioned before. Apart from the exercise and being in the company of friends, persistent stress should lead an individual into seeking medical attention before it gets late. Physicians always remedy for stress relieve, which are helpful in most cases. It is clear that it’s difficult to find a medical cure for stress. What may be cured are the resultant health effects of stress. Seeking advice from physicians can be of great help. Last, as a call for action, life is quite challenging at times, and due to this, we are losing many amazing people to suicide. Let’s reach out to one another and share to know what they are going through with more positive talks in the universe.

References

Abel, Holly, Annette Abel, and Robert L. Smith. “The effects of a stress management course on             counselors‐in‐training.” Counselor education and supervision 51.1 (2012): 64-78.

Arora, Sonal, et al. “Mental practice: effective stress management training for novice         surgeons.” Journal of the American College of Surgeons 212.2 (2011): 225-233.

Clark, Carey S., and Gabrielle Pelicci. “An integral nursing education: a stress management and    life balance course.” International Journal of Human Caring 15.1 (2011): 13-22.

Olpin, Michael, and Margie Hesson. Stress management for life: A research-based experiential      approach. Nelson Education, 2015. Pp. 23-177

Patterson, George, Irene Chung, and Philip G. Swan. “The effects of stress management   interventions among police officers and recruits.” Campbell Systematic Reviews 8.7       (2012). Pp. 34-89