By: Sarah Labdar
Stress is a natural part of life. These days there are very few who don’t get stressed over money, the economy, the housing market, jobs or even family. Our bodies naturally react to stress through blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, body temperature and muscle contractions. Everyone deals with stress on different levels and in different ways.  However, if one is not able to deal with stress it can ultimately lead to mental and physical exhaustion.

It wasn’t until the 1930′s that the word stress was used to characterize a condition where a stressor causes stimulus. Hans Selye, an endocrinologist, witnessed an inappropriate physiological response to demand placed on a human or animal.  Before coining the term stress was considered a normal part of daily function and encounters that results in strain. Now, we know that stress plays an important part in physical, emotional and mental well being.

Stress is defined as a failure to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats whether they are real or imagined. The signs of stress are easily recognizable and can present themselves as cognitive, behavioral, emotional or physical symptoms. Therefore when presented with stress one’s whole demeanor, attitude and presence can change. Cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms include poor judgment, negative outlook, anxiety, worrying, moodiness, irritability, agitation, inability to relax, loneliness, isolation, depression, lack of concentration and absentmindedness. Physical symptoms include increased heart rate, breathing, energy, blood pressure, cholesterol and production of sweat. Stress can also cause physical symptoms of aches and pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chest pain, upset stomach and headache. Chronic stress that occurs over a longer period of time consistently can cause both physical and psychological damage to a person. Long-term stress depresses the immune system leaving it susceptible to infections, disease, and illness. Stress promotes the accumulation of visceral fat, which is a leading cause of obesity. Additional chronic stress has been connected to ulcers, cancer, heart disease, increased outbreaks of psoriasis, depression and diabetes. In children who experience chronic stress a stunt to developmental growth is normally seen.

Stress is normally given a bad connotation, which implies it is negative.  However, most people forget or don’t mention good stress. When Hans Selye discovered stress, he studied all types of stress and realized that stress even when its good is still a stress nonetheless. He developed eustress or good stress and distress or bad stress. Eustress is a condition that enhances ones physical or mental function such as exercise, marriage, having a baby or a promotion. Where as, distress is persistent stress that is not resolved through coping or adaptation, which can lead to symptoms of withdrawal or anxiety. The difference between good and bad stress is based upon one’s past experiences, personal expectations, and the resources to cope with stress.

Coping with stress is not an easy task. Everyone adapts to stress differently and some people have an easier time dealing with stress than others. The way that the body reacts to a stressor is understood through the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which describes the effects of stress on the body. Depending upon the intensity and duration of the stressor will determine if the stress is acute-short term or chronic-long term.  At the first sign of stress the bodies stress response is in a state of alarm. The body reacts by producing adrenaline which causes a fight or flight response. Fight or flight is the body’s way of preparing to fight (cope, adapt) or flee. The second stage is the resistance to stress. If a stressor persists the body must find a means of coping with the stress.  Does the body have a way to adapt to the strain or demands of the surrounding environment? As we cope with stress, the body’s resources (nutrients, enzymes, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals) are gradually depleted. The final stage is exhaustion where the body’s resources are completely used up, leading to inability to function normally. Weakness, fatigue decreased energy, inability to concentrate or think clearly are all signs of exhaustion. Long-term exhaustion can be detrimental to ones health and can manifest disease. Although, these stages represent a model of how stress affects the body, stress can manifest itself differently in every person.

No two people will respond to the exact same stressor in the exact same way. Life experience and social background play a role in determining ones ability to cope with stress. Normal responses to stress include adaptation, coping, anxiety and depression. Coping mechanisms include stress management. Stress management provides individuals with techniques to handle stress on a daily basis. Learning to cope with stress will help you live a happier, healthier life.

Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since.  My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me.  Check out my health website!

Everyday Health, Live your Life to the fullest!

http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Stress.html

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By: Raymond S
Panic attacks can occur only once in the life of a person or may occur several times. When the attack is recurrent, unexpected and is followed by at least one month of persistent concern or worry about future attacks or meaning or necessary change in behavior related to them, the condition is now called panic disorder. initial panic attack is not usually an environmental stimulus or trigger. However, fear or personal psychological distress may be the factors responsible for the attack. If negative thinking is in the mind for a long time or if severe enough to result in concern, the unconscious can lead to sudden physical discomfort. Some people may also have phobias such as agoraphobia or fear of being in places where it is difficult to escape. This is evident in symptoms of panic attacks to appear in malls, markets and even parking. 

Panic is essentially a condition that should not be taken for granted. As it provides a sense of a point of no return, volley person perception has narrowed. This can result in injuries or actions that may cause physical or psychological harm to himself and / or others. After the symptoms of panic attacks have ceased to manifest, the person may feel social embarrassment due to the seemingly ridiculous actions during the attack. Thorough counseling should be done to prevent the recurrence of attacks in the future. 

Symptoms of panic attacks are similar to the physiological response to stress. The autonomic nervous system is reacting to the psychological mechanisms of the mind. For example, palpitations, sweating and tremors are the effects of adrenaline. Mostly, paresthesias or numbness, pain and sense of suffocation in the chest can greatly affect the person’s welfare.

Relieve your stress now by downloading the audio and video about Stress management tips.

Full stopping panic attacks can be downloaded for limited time only! Click the link to download now!

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Signs of stress, how can you indentify that could help you figure out if you are actually dealing with it. Why should you bother? You should following problems and see if they are something you are trying to deal with. Below are 4 indicators of stress.

1 – Anger: You may not be a candidate for going postal, but if you find yourself fighting anger or even having the occasional outburst, it’s time to stop and think. Have you always fought this battle? Most of us have not, so this out of character reaction could be a signal.

Anxiety: Who *isn’t* anxious right now? We have double digit unemployment, our economy has tanked and even the employed are worried, as layoffs and furlough days still abound. Unless you have a naturally anxious personality, you can consider this emotion as another clue.

2 – Appetite Problems: People under stress have one of two reactions in the appetite department. Some of us will automatically overeat and eat comfort foods. The rest of us will have no appetite at all. Neither are healthy but this could be another indicator.

Frustration: Little moments of frustration happen to all of us. It may be trying to put that longed for toy together on Christmas Eve while the kids are asleep. Sometimes Tab A just won’t go into Slot B. However, if it is a constant, it’s a signs of stress.

3 – Insomnia: While all the other things on this list are something you have to figure out for yourself, insomnia is the one thing that most

Trouble Concentrating: Here is where there is a major difference between temporary stress and chronic. Temporary could make it a lot easier to concentrate.

4 – Isolation: For me, this is the scariest symptom. It can indicate that my client has gone from stressed to chronic depression, and may be well on the road to suicide. If you are turning away from friends and family, if you are avoiding things that used to bring you joy, you are in need of immediate help.

Relieve your stress now by downloading the audio and video about Stress management tips.

Full stopping panic attacks can be downloaded for limited time only! Click the link to download now!

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Copyright (c) 2011 Ann Sandretto

If you want to look younger than you are, it helps to consider the total package. Because women who look forever 31 don’t just have great complexions, they also have thick hair, smooth hands, and even a whiter smile. How do you become one of those lucky types who goes to her class reunion and elicits comments like, “Wow, she hasn’t aged a bit!”? Follow these age proofing tips that start with your head and end with your toes. Living a healthy lifestyle will extend the quality of your life as well.

Give Your Hair A Boost – Hair naturally thins as you get older, so anything you can do to counteract that process will help you stay gorgeous. Volumizing shampoos are great, but the most effective (and quickest) youth boost comes courtesy of a volumizing spray gel.

Get Younger-Acting Skin – It’s not just wrinkles that make you look older, according to numerous studies, skin tone and luminosity also affect your perceived age. With adenosine, a collagen-stimulating molecule found naturally in your skin’s DNA, and biolysat, which stimulates your skin’s own repair process, it’s able to not only reduce wrinkles but improve texture, tone, and radiance as well.

Use a Redness-Reducing Concealer – You may not realize it, but redness and visible blood vessels on your cheeks and nose are another sign of sun damage, and they do make you look older. The best way to get rid of the red is with a laser treatment.

Brighten Your Smile – Stains ac

Spritz a Zesty Scent – Weird but true; people may think you look up to five years younger if you’re sporting a grapefruit scent, according to a study at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

De-Freckle Your Chest – Wear sunscreen to prevent the development of more blemishes, and switch-up your regular body lotion for one that includes spot-reducing ingredients.

Baby Your Hands – Apply moisturizer and always wear gloves in the winter. It’s not just the sun that causes damage – cold winds suck the moisture right out of your hands, which can make them look older, if only temporarily.

Don’t Yo-Yo Diet – Do your best to get a healthy weight and stick to it through the years. Rapid weight gain or loss can cause visible changes to the skin, such as stretch marks and laxity.

Make Over Your Legs – Varicose and spider veins are an instant ager, and the most effective way to remove them is with sclerotherapy. The procedure involves injecting a therapeutic solution into the veins, which causes them to collapse. For a quicker fix, which will also hide spots and scars you’ve accumulated over the years, try a leg-perfecting lotion or spray.

Fix-up Your Feet – Nothing gets soles smoother than a foot file. Use it at the end of your shower, then follow-up with a rich cream that contains at least 10% lactic acid.

Living a healthy lifestyle and using some key cosmetic tips can erase the signs of stress as we age.

www.AlwaysNewYou.com offers expert advice & tips for women. Blog posts, articles, info from doctors & experts plus celeb insider beauty tips make AlwaysNewYou.com the preeminent site for women looking for info on health, beauty & all women’s issues!

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There are so many ways that people define stress, but I will define stress as the way people react to circumstances in life. These may be anything arising out of relationships, the pressure coming from loosing a loved one, a demanding job etc. The question that arises is, what is Teenage stress?

WHAT IS TEENAGE STRESS?

Teenage stress can be defined as the way teenagers respond to changes that may come from people, situations and feelings they may encounter in life. Teenage stress come form various sources among some of which are worrying about school work, peer pressure among others. Situations which causes stress are called stressors

IS STRESS GOOD OR BAD?

There are arguments that little amounts of stress is nothing to worry about, since our bodies have been created to deal with it. Stress however becomes a worrying issue when it is prolonged. This is because it can trigger health conditions like psoriasis, migraines, insomnia and other health related problems. This means that stress can be dangerous and must not be left unchecked. The question now is, how can one tell if he or she is under stress?

EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

It is good to know the early signs and symptoms of stress so that action can be taking to combat it before it gets out of hand.

Early signs of stress may manifest itself in so many ways of which some are

1. Poor concentration,

2. Inability to sleep properly,

3. Not being able to relax,

4. Excessive intake of caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes,

6. Dry mouth among others

MORE WORRYING SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

There are also more worrying stress symptoms which is an indication of how bad the stress level in an individual is. Some of these worrying symptoms are

1. Pains in the chest

2. Inability to swallow food like meat, bread and the like properly

3. Feelings of wanting to commit suicide

4. An unusual feeling of self harm

5. An unusual pulse rate even when relaxing or resting

6. persistent constipation or diarrhoea

The big advise here for teenagers is to try and identify the signs and symptoms of stress by themselves so that immediate action could be taken before the situation gets out of control.

For more stress related information and links to how you can get help to combat stress, visit: http://teenagestressspot.blogspot.com/

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