The Effects of Stress

Work is a hassle. Your boss is always looking over your shoulder and you never seem to get anything done because you can’t concentrate. Then when you finally finish the work day and get to go home your husband and kids expect you to solve all their problems. You never seem to have any time for yourself, time to relax and enjoy a quiet moment. If this sounds like a synopsis of your life, you are not alone.

Many people are dealing with hectic lives. The above scenario and others like it can produce stress. Stress can be defined as having to cope with more than is normal. Though, it might be more beneficial to think of tension in terms of your reaction to handling all these additional tasks.

For example, if you use the pressure of a deadline to get you focused and help you do a better job, then that kind of tension can be productive. Some athletes, most successful ones, learn to harness nerves and anxiety and in some cases use those two things to enhance their performances.

During stressful moments, your body will react as though you are in danger, though maybe to a lesser degree. Hormones are released. They increase your heart rate and breathing and give you a rush of adrenaline. Your body is equipped to handle these reactions over short periods; it’s lingering pressure that breaks the body down.

Extended anxiety can lead to headaches, stomach problems, such as ulcers and upset stomach, lower back pain and inability to sleep or waking from sleep and not feeling rested. This lack of rest can lead to a weakening immune system and when this happens you are susceptible to a whole host of illnesses.

For example, while the exact cause of shingles is not known it tends to occur in people with a weakened immune system, as do many other diseases and conditions caused by bacteria and viruses.
Long-term stress should not be an accepted part of life.