Stress Really Can Kill

June 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Map of Heart Disease Death Rates in US White M... 

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Many of us have heard the phrase that stress can kill but according to recent studies, this is actually more fact than fiction. After testing civil servants in a 12 year study, it was found that those with higher stress levels had a 68% more chance of getting conditions that can potentially be fatal such as heart disease. This is due in part to the stress hormone called cortisol. This hormone gives a burst of energy to the body similar and related to the fight or flight theory.

Another issue with those under stress is their habits that can be potentially harmful. Those under stress tend to take part in more harmful activities such as overeating, smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy foods such as fast food and snack foods. Combined with the stress hormone, these activities can put a double whammy on your heart and affect the rest of your body’s functions to the point of becoming ill or even having a heart attack or stroke.

If you feel that you are under a life threatening stress level it can help just to take some time to yourself and focus on doing what makes you happy. Sure, you may have to still get the work done but try to balance out the rest of your time with activities that are good for you or stress free. If you feel that your stress is out of control it can be a good idea to see your physician or even a therapist to get some ideas on how to slow down the killing effects of stress.

Filed Under: Mental Health Guidance Tagged With: , ,

Disorders due to stress

November 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
BERLIN - NOVEMBER 08: Bill Roedy (L), Chairma...
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Stress has been the cause for a variety of problems. Without stress there seems to be no way get a job done. Few hours of sleep combined with pressures from multiple directions leave a person with no time to distress. It is the problem associated with every person living in an urban country. The modern life demands the person to be active twenty four hours a day, be connected to friend’s colleagues though mobile phones, internet and other forms of communication mediums. Because of all this it is the mind and the body that takes all the pressure and end up losing their strength. Stress is the reaction by the body that is raised when it feels that the muscles and the mind cannot take any more work and rest is required. It is the way your body protects you and it helps people stay alert, responsive, and energetic. It is on the other hand productive at certain times when the body needs to perform better than before. It makes the person more attentive and increases the concentration to keep him focused at the job at hand. But there is a threshold for everything and stress too stops being useful and begins to instead deteriorated body and mind. The number of stress related mental cases have seen a sudden resurgence in the past few years. It causes long term depression or insomnia in certain individuals and other sorts of mental disorders which result in her taking pills for the rest of their life. Another major problem associated with stress is the failure of adrenal glands. Adrenal glands secrete the required stress hormone cortisol to keep the body on its toes. This overworking of the adrenal glands causes the complete failure of them and abnormal hormone levels for the rest of your lives.

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Coping With Work Related Stress

September 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Worry about your job, increased demands at work, and the responsibilities of your career can cause you a lot of stress, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. The stress can build over time because you return to work again and again. It isn’t always a major incident such as a demotion that causes stress; in fact, minor worries can snowball into major stress if they are repeated day after day.

It’s important to overcome pervasive stress at work because stress has such an impact on you both emotionally and physically. Individuals suffering from stress are at increased risk for depression, panic attacks, anxiety, exhaustion, frustration and anger. It’s also linked to physical problems such as high blood pressure and a suppressed immune system.

If you’re feeling stressed at work, take the time to identify the specific stressors that are affecting you. Is it a one-time occurrence such as lay-offs, or are you struggling to cope with an unpleasant or unproductive coworker on a daily basis? After you’ve identified the source, it’s time to make some changes.

If you can change the situation itself, do so. This may involve asking for a move to another department, looking for a new job, or simply learning better interpersonal skills. Time management is often crucial to alleviating work place stress because it helps you determine priorities and work more productively. Delegating work can also help reduce your stress levels. It’s important to keep things in perspective as well. If you feel like you are overwhelmed with work you can’t complete, ask yourself what will happen if you put some assignments off. In most cases, it will not be the end of the world, or even your job. Many people discover that the pressure they feel is self-inflicted.

If you still can’t cope with the stress at work, consider consulting with a therapist or counselor. They can help you develop relaxation techniques and effective coping skills that can reduce your stress levels and improve your mental health.

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Filed Under: Anxiety Tagged With: , , ,

Stress-Reduction Techniques That Help Mental Illness

August 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Stress
Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr
The Mayo Clinic defines stress as "the condition we experience when demands exceed our ability to cope." Everyone has experienced stress in some form or another, and our tolerance of stress—how it affects us and how we deal with it, varies from person to person.
When demands continually exceed our ability to cope, and the body is weakened by the pressure put upon the mind and the suppression which stress enacts upon the immune system, both mental and physical illnesses are invited.
For those currently suffering from the effects of stress, or for those who want to prevent it, here is a list of stress-reduction techniques that can help, which do not involve prescription drugs or psychiatric treatment:
Laugh: Studies have proven laughter stimulates blood flow, and is thought to increase antibodies and release hormones that combat stress.
Take a time-out: By resting, or simply removing yourself from a stressful environment for 15 minutes, you will feel more capable, calm, and alert.
Get organized: A tidy workspace will allow you to work more efficiently, making you feel in control and thereby less stressed.
Be creative: Artistic expression, whether in painting, drawing, singing, or writing, relaxes you and puts in touch with your true self. It also acts as an escape and is therapeutic for the body and mind.
Exercise: Exercise is beneficial in many ways. It lowers blood pressure (which is elevated with stress), releases good-feeling endorphins, and allows you to take deep breaths that encourage relaxation.
Get a massage: When muscles are overworked lactic acid builds up in the body, which can make you feel tense. By getting a massage you can get rid of harmful toxins and improve circulation.
Take vitamins: Vitamins B and C are considered to be anti-stress elements, and Magnesium and Calcium have calming affects.
Listen to music: Research has shown that music naturally relaxes the body and reduces anxiety.
By utilizing these simple stress-reduction techniques you can feel better overall, better manage daily challenges, and help to treat a mental illness.

The Mayo Clinic defines stress as "the condition we experience when demands exceed our ability to cope." Everyone has experienced stress in some form or another, and our tolerance of stress—how it affects us and how we deal with it, varies from person to person.
When demands continually exceed our ability to cope, and the body is weakened by the pressure put upon the mind and the suppression which stress enacts upon the immune system, both mental and physical illnesses are invited.
For those currently suffering from the effects of stress, or for those who want to prevent it, here is a list of stress-reduction techniques that can help, which do not involve prescription drugs or psychiatric treatment:
Laugh: Studies have proven laughter stimulates blood flow, and is thought to increase antibodies and release hormones that combat stress.
Take a time-out: By resting, or simply removing yourself from a stressful environment for 15 minutes, you will feel more capable, calm, and alert.
Get organized: A tidy workspace will allow you to work more efficiently, making you feel in control and thereby less stressed.
Be creative: Artistic expression, whether in painting, drawing, singing, or writing, relaxes you and puts in touch with your true self. It also acts as an escape and is therapeutic for the body and mind.
Exercise: Exercise is beneficial in many ways. It lowers blood pressure (which is elevated with stress), releases good-feeling endorphins, and allows you to take deep breaths that encourage relaxation.
Get a massage: When muscles are overworked lactic acid builds up in the body, which can make you feel tense. By getting a massage you can get rid of harmful toxins and improve circulation.
Take vitamins: Vitamins B and C are considered to be anti-stress elements, and Magnesium and Calcium have calming affects.
Listen to music: Research has shown that music naturally relaxes the body and reduces anxiety.
By utilizing these simple stress-reduction techniques you can feel better overall, better manage daily challenges, and help to treat a mental illness.

Plant a Garden: Pick up a rake, a hose, or even if you are in an arid area some hydroponic supplies and become one with nature and drop your stress.

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Filed Under: Mental Health Guidance Tagged With: , , ,