Hey everyone,

I know it's been a long time since i've written in my blog and i hate it. So much has been going on and i just don't know what to do now. Stress is not what's up! Not many people know the dangers that it can cause so right now i'm here to give you a little lesson. 

Stress is simply a fact of nature -- forces from the inside or outside world affecting the individual. The individual responds to stress in ways that affect the individual as well as their environment. Because of the overabundance of stress in our modern lives, we usually think of stress as a negative experience, but from a biological point of view, stress can be a neutral, negative, or positive experience. In general, stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, including your job, your relationships with others, your home, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations you're confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine your body's ability to respond to, and deal with, the external stress-inducing factors. Internal factors which influence your ability to handle stress include your nutritional status, overall health and fitness levels, emotional well-being, and the amount of sleep and rest you get. Stress can cause problems to the brain and nerves, muscles and joints, heart, stomach, pancreas, intestines and your reproductive system. 

Sometimes stress doesn't always look so stressful: Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:

§  Foot on the gas – An angry or agitated stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.

§  Foot on the brake – A withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.

§  Foot on both – A tense and frozen stress response. You “freeze” under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

Effects of chronic stress (http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm)

The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats. When you’re stressed over a busy schedule, an argument with a friend, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation. If you have a lot of responsibilities and worries, your emergency stress response may be “on” most of the time. The more your body’s stress system is activated, the easier it is to trip and the harder it is to shut off.

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

Many health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress, including:

·         Pain of any kind ·         Heart disease ·         Digestive problems ·         Sleep problems

·         Depression ·         Obesity ·         Autoimmune diseases ·         Skin conditions, such as eczema

Signs and symptoms of stress overload

The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.

Cognitive Symptoms	Emotional Symptoms
·         Memory problems ·         Inability to concentrate ·         Poor judgment ·         Seeing only the negative ·         Anxious or racing thoughts ·         Constant worrying	·         Moodiness ·         Irritability or short temper ·         Agitation, inability to relax ·         Feeling overwhelmed ·         Sense of loneliness and isolation ·         Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms	Behavioral Symptoms
·         Aches and pains ·         Diarrhea or constipation ·         Nausea, dizziness ·         Chest pain, rapid heartbeat ·         Loss of sex drive ·         Frequent colds	·         Eating more or less ·         Sleeping too much or too little ·         Isolating yourself from others ·         Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities ·         Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax ·         Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can also be caused by other psychological and medical problems. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs of stress, it’s important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not your symptoms are stress-related.

If we think about the causes of stress, the nature of the stress response, and the negative effects of some types of stress (prolonged, unexpected, or unmanageable stress), several healthy management strategies become clear. An important step in stress management is exercise. Since the stress response prepares us to fight or flee, our bodies are primed for action. Unfortunately, however, we usually handle our stresses while sitting at our desk, standing at the watercooler, or behind the wheel stuck in traffic. Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones and associated neurochemicals. Thus, exercise can help avoid the damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. In fact, studies have found that exercise is a potent antidepressant, anxiolytic (combats anxiety), and sleeping aid for many people.