RELATIONSHIP OF CHRONIC STRESS AND HEALTH

Yesterday, we talked about some of the Causes of Stress.We all have a certain amount of Stress that is normal. So when does Stress become abnormal?
It is when the intensity, duration and amount of the Stress becomes more than we can handle - then it will alter our Health.

In Acute Stress, the hormones Adrenalin and cortisol that triggers the Fight or Flight Response is released by the body.These hormones increase heart rate, slows digestion and changes other autonomic nervous system functions.

So what if this Stress is allowed to continue after the acute period,the BODILY functions mentioned above as well as others will wear down. Is your Immune System Affected? DEFINITELY! You are fair game to viruses, bacteria - any invading organisms.

Research have linked the following diseases to Chronic Stress - Heart Disease, Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, ulcers, bowel diseases,frequent colds, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer. Anxiety, Depression and other mental disorders are also attributed to Chronic Stress.

A recent Canadian study has linked Stress as a risk factor to Alzheimer's. Some of the symptoms of Stress include, obesity, hair loss, inflammations, insomnia, appetite changes, backache.
A study done by the Occupational Health in the UK, stated that one in 4 workers were affected by work-related stress.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO OVERPOWER STRESS INSTEAD OF STRESS OVERPOWERING US? For those who are going through Chronic Stress, my question to you "Are you SICK And TIRED of being SICK AND TIRED"?
Would like to hear from you, my readers before my next blog? I will be writing 2 more blogs on Stress beginning Monday 20th of May, titled, CAN STRESS BE MANAGED?
Agapelife

WHY THE STRESS

Have you heard these OR have said some of these statements below?

The atmosphere in the office is toxic, everyone is getting sick and tired
My bosses are too demanding or ....
My job drains all the energy of me and I only want to sleep when I return home!
Every day is a rush.
Too much to do and Not enough hours in the day!

OR

Just don't get enough sleep - feel tired all the time.
How can I have time for myself? My 3 teenagers need me and my elderly parents count on me.
Everyone wants my help and I can't say no!
Recently lost my loved one (companion, parent, child) and now the company has found my position redundant!
After (?) years of marriage, he (she) leaves me for another.

If you have any of the above, my friends, you are in a state of Stress. To what degree depends on the number of stresses, the time factor, your personality,your attitude your knowledge and coping patterns, previous experiences and your support system.

Type A personality are more prone to chronic stress.
The number of Stressful Factors at one time and how long those linger determines the level of CHRONIC STRESS!

Tomorrow we will visit how STRESS can physically affect your body, mind AND SPIRIT!

Stress and Health

STRESS is the root of many illnesses including heart disease, types of cancers, bowel disease - the list go on and on. You would think that we would have less stress with our advanced technology. We seem to have more than our ancestors? Before the why, let us look at the What?
What is STRESS?Oxford dictionary defines it as" pressure or tension (measured by quantity) placed on our physical or mental energy." Since we are not just a body,STRESS also affects the spirit. A certain amount of stress is healthy and the body has coping mechanisms for that. If the quantity gets beyond what the mind PERCEIVES it can handle, then HEALTH IS AFFECTED!

The quantity of stress which each person can handle before it becomes overwhelming depends each individual attitude, personality,history and support system. So what might be stressful for one person might not be so for another? Tomorrow we will identify WHY the STRESS?
Agapelife