Stress is a part of life. It happens to everyone every day as we cope with ordinary events, interact with people and meet all kinds of demands.
Everyday things such as rules, work, responsibilities, decisions, changes, relationships, illnesses and money can cause stress.
A little stress is good for you. It makes you think and try harder. It stimulates and provides excitement. However, too much stress or stress that goes on for a long time can become harmful to you.
How Stress Affects Your Health
Stress affects everyone differently. Some people become anxious or defensive while others become depressed or withdrawn. Yet there are others who become agitated or aggressive. Stress can affect you physically and emotionally.
Physical signs of stress include having:
- fast heartbeats
- tense muscles
- headaches and migraines
- stomachaches
- feeling tired and having trouble concentrating
Emotional signs of stress include:
- being anxious and bad-tempered all the time
- acting in a defensive or aggressive manner
Stress can lead to:
- eating disorders - loss of appetite or overeating
- sleeplessness (insomnia)
- stomach ulcers
- diarrhoea
- skin rashes
If stress continues for a long time, it can even lead to conditions like:
- high blood pressure, heart attack
- sleeplessness (insomnia)
- depression, nervous breakdown or mental illness
- worsening of asthma attack
To control stress effectively, you must first know what is causing the stress. Then you can consider what to do about it. Some causes of stress can be removed or adjusted while others have to be accepted. In both cases however, you can change the way you react to stress and learn how to cope with stress more effectively.
Learn how to manage stress effectively: