You are here: Home / Archives for Stress

Stress and strain: Symptoms and management

February 5, 2011 by 6 Comments
Sun set

  In this modern hectic life, most of us have to face stress and strains often in our daily activities. Some times, stress is necessary for achieving our goals in our career. But, most of the times, it acts as a trouble-maker and spoils our health also.  Signs and symptoms caused by stress:   • Anxiety, Anger, Aggressiveness, Depression, Despair  • Unnecessary fear, Sleeplessness, Nervousness, Tenderness in the muscles  • Giddiness, tingling and numbness in the limbs, less appetite  • Lack of concentration on any thing or affair, uncontrollable thoughts  • Weight loss, Constipation, Rise in blood pressure  • Hyperacidity in the stomach, leading to ulcers  • Having the wrong impression, that there are no drugs available to cure this ailment  • Not showing interest to take active part in entertainment programmes, and etcetera.     Management of stress and strain:  1. First of all find out the cause or causes of your stress.  2. Take break from the routine works.  3. Try to take active part (if possible) in conducting humorous programmes or attend to them.  4. See comedy movies to have entertainment.  5. Read books containing humorous stories or having actual funny incidents.  6. Find yourself the actual timings when you are under stress and do moderate exercises at that time, like walking, moving hands rhythmically.  7. Cultivate the hobbies like- gardening, humming your favourite songs, visiting the places of orphan homes or taking active part in other social activities.  8. As … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Stress: Understand and manage it effectively

December 20, 2010 by 4 Comments
Ongole town in ANdhra Pradesh

  The severity of the signs and symptoms of the stress are exhibited in different ways depending upon the physical and the mental conditions of the individuals.  The body reacts and responds to stress in three stages:  1. First stage or Alarm stage:  During this stage, the body recognizes the cause of the stress and produces “the Adrenaline hormone” –the hormone of “Fight or Flight response”. For example, if you happened to come across a snake, either you go away from that place speedily or you kill it.  2. Second Stage o Resistance stage:  If the stress still continues, our body becomes accustomed to it and tries to adjusts itself to the surroundings and the necessities of the situations.  3. Third stage or Stage of the End:  In this stage, the body can’t withstand the effects of the stress, due to the dysfunction of the organs concerning the control of the stress mechanism and the body unable to discharge even its normal functions.    The usual signs and symptoms exhibited by the excessive stress:  • Problems with remembering abilities.  • Lack of concentration power.  • Often getting angry even for small events.  • Inability to take correct decisions.  • Finding only faults in all the matters.  • Thoughts of anxiety and tensions.  • Continuous suffering.  • Lack of getting early relaxation.  • Feeling loneliness.  • Being in a state of depression or in a discomfort state.  • Feeling nervousness and un-necessary excitement.  • Not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Smiles and Laughter-Magic Potions

August 13, 2010 by Leave a Comment

  “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” – Lord Byron.  I have some vague memories of childhood when I was asked not to show my teeth while smiling and not to laugh out loud (remember, you are a girl!). The stubborn streak in me ensured that I continued to do things my way. But I did and still continue to wonder why people feel that smiling or laughing wholeheartedly is not the done thing. Why should one try to restrict one’s smile or try to soften one’s laughter? Were we – Indians, I mean – always like this or did we adopt the “stiff upper lip” attitude of our erstwhile rulers, the British?  Laughter is considered the best medicine – preventive as well as curative. Smiling relaxes our facial muscles. When we are happy and laugh, “feel good chemicals” like endorphins and serotonin are released .That is the reason a bout of laughter improves our mood considerably. Just like exercise, laughter is supposedly very beneficial for the heart and we should consciously look for reasons to laugh at just like we try to exert ourselves physically to stay healthy.  People even form laughter clubs where they assemble in a park or some such place and laugh their hearts out. Today, there is laughter therapy, laughter yoga, laughter meditation which indicates that people are getting increasingly aware of the advantages of a good laugh.  Laughing at a funny incident is all right, so is laughing at oneself – when one can have a ‘no holds barred’ laugh. Where one has to draw the line is when one is laughing at another, making somebody a butt of your jokes. The person may be somebody close to you, you may think that the person will not mind but we have to remember that everybody is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Time management advice

November 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment

 It is common we everybody blame time that it goes very fast and we are not able to chase it. Is it true? Is the time running fast without take care us? We all know that we are simply blame time because we can't complete our work in time. Time is precious as it never waits for anybody and can’t get back once lost. Hence we should be little bit careful about time, especially who complain that they haven't got enough time to do their works. Time management may be useful for such people. It is nothing but studying how to utilize our valuable time effectively. When we walk up in the morning we are going to have plenty of time. The whole day is waiting for us. But the way of utilizing is important.First of all we have to do is to write down the day's works. Important job has to be given first chance and enough amount of time also given. Try to complete the job as we specified in the chart. One important point is speed. Try to complete the work as fast as you can, so that enough free time will be there. You can take break between the works. We should have a plan about the things we are going to do in next one hour. If you go like this at the end of the day you may find enough and more play time that can be used as your wish. You have to find time for doing something useful for yourself and entertainment. At night you can examine the list that you are created at the morning. Make sure that you have done all. If you can make tomorrow's work list at night, it may help you to start your day easily. There are many situations in life that we regret about the time we wasted. If you follow the time management you will never get a chance to regret and be proud of yourself making your time useful. Author: Nayana Valsaraj, Kannur … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , ,

Stress management with communication skills

August 31, 2009 by 4 Comments

 Now days, every one is very busy, in discharging their duty, either in their working place or in office. As such times are like that, we can’t imagine work without stress, which has become part and parcel in our modern life. Communication skills play a major role to overcome the stress and strain. Causes of stress: 1. Probably, You are not in a position, in explaining you views and feelings clearly and in straight manner to others. 2. Your colleagues or others can’t grasp and understand speedily, what was said by you and repeatedly asking you the same thing, causing great inconvenience to you. 3. You may not move and speak freely and easily among your colleagues, in the office and exhibiting shyness. 4. You are doubt about handling new project by yourself, as; you are under the impression that you may not motivate your other co-workers well. 5. You are facing the language problem and so not clearly discussing the related matters, both you’re your colleagues and customers. 6. You may not satisfactorily clarify and giving the solutions to the clients, who approach you whenever they got any doubts. 7. You are probably getting nervousness and also unnecessary excitement, while giving your valuable opinions and suggestions, during the indoor-meetings conducted in the office from time to time. 8. You are not doing proper introspection and self-analysis about your mode of working and may not showing positive attitude for the comments(right or wrong in nature) made against you. 9. You are not making your presence felt in the team work of office, by your sheer and sincere efforts and in discharging the duties. 10. You may not exhibit your talents in the right … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Health Research: Stress in American work life

November 1, 2007 by Leave a Comment

  According to a research study by American Psychological Association, 30% of Americans are living under extreme stress. 75% of Americans are suffering from physical symptoms of stress like headache, stomach-ache and exhaustion. Work and money are the top sources of stress. Many people are managing stress by eating junk foods, smoking and alcoholism. They are getting new diseases with these bad habits. But 80% of respondents are feeling satisfactory in their dealing with stress. Some people perform outstandingly when they are pushed to the wall while others fall to chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and obesity when they faced severe stress.  Major causes of increased stress in working environment: 1. Low salaries and heavy workload. 2. Lack of growth opportunities and long working hours. 3. Lack of participation in decision-making. 4. Inflexible hours.  How people relieve from stress?  1. 50% of people reduced their stress levels by listening to music and reading books.  2. 40% of people decrease stress levels by spending with family and friends.  3. 30% of people overcome stress by praying to God.  4. According to some studies, sex also play vital role in reducing stress levels in humans.  5. 17% of alcoholics overcome stress by drinking excess alcohol while 70% of smokers took extra quota.  It is better if people learn to manage this unavoidable stress in our daily life in healthy ways. Some people are learning bad habits to overcome the stress and fall into this vicious cycle of chronic diseases. Please share your experiences in dealing with stress.    … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , ,

Stress: meaning, causes and management

August 9, 2007 by Leave a Comment

 Now a days, people of every walk of life are not spared from the effects of stress in one way or other, on their health and their behavior with public and family members. Dr.Hans Selye, the father of stress theory, defined stress as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it’’. The demand can be in the form of, -A threat, a challenge or any kind of change which requires the body to adapt. The response is automatic and at the same time immediate. Stress is of two types: • Eustress: It is good in nature and helps us perform better in our dealings with others. • Distress: It is bad in nature and causes upset or makes us sick. Common manifestations (symptoms) of stress: Stress effects can be divided into four categories. 1. Physical effects: The affected person show: -Fatigue (tiredness), headache, sleeplessness, body pain, stiffness of neck, low-back pain. -Heart palpitations, chest pain, abdominal cramps (pain in the stomach), vomiting sensation. -Trembling, cold extremities, flushing or sweating and frequent colds. 2. Mental symptoms: -Decrease in concentration and memory power, mind racing back. -Confusion, Loss of sense of humor. 3. Emotional effects: -Anxiety, nervousness, depression, anger, frustration, worry. -Fear, irritability, impatience, and short temper. 4. Behavioral type: -Pacing, fidgeting, nail- biting, foot tapping, increased eating. -Smoking, drinking alcohol, crying, yelling. -Blaming others, throwing things and even hitting others. Causes of stress: The causes are known as ‘’stressors or triggers’’. Stressors are of two kinds: External and Internal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , ,

How does human body manage the stress?

August 6, 2007 by 1 Comment

 Born on this earth as human beings is a boon given to us by the GOD, the Almighty. Some attribute it to the nature. But God is different from nature, as spirituality is different from science. Spirituality begins where science ends. Defining God is very difficult thing and it is an impulse and should be felt by each individual. It is a personal experience and a matter of faith. Keen observation is the gift given by God. See, how wonderfully our body manages the stress crisis, when it occurs in the body. The mechanism of Stress management by human body: Stress is the reaction of the body to a sudden event, usually unexpected. 1. The reaction results from an outpouring of ‘’Adrenaline’’ (a stimulus hormone), secreted by the ‘’Suprarenal glands ‘’, that are present one on each kidney, in to the blood stream. Adrenaline along with other stress hormones (like nor- adrenaline, etc), produces number of changes in the body, intended to be protective. It is often called ‘’ the fight –or- flight response’’ of the body to that situation (dangerous sometimes), as the hormone provides the necessary strength and energy to either fight or run away from that danger. 2. Blood Pressure: It is increased, so that more blood goes to the muscles, heart and brain, because these organs that are most important in dealing with the danger. 3. Lungs: There is increased respiration rate, that is faster breathing (to take in more oxygen), as oxygen acts like fire to create more energy, for quick movement of the organs. 4. Tensing of the muscles: occurs which is preparation for ready action. 5. There is increased mental alertness and sensitivity of sense organs- to asses the situation and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , ,

Stress: causes and management

May 14, 2007 by Leave a Comment

 As per the surveys, 9 out of 10 patients who are coming to the doctors are having stress. Root causes of Stress and its management: 1. We must know the causes of stress, which are beyond our controlling capacity, which can better be avoided. We need not think about them unnecessarily. Then the trouble is gone and mental peace will be there. 2. The causes which are responsible for stress can be looked upon positively. Then you come to know the causes are less troublesome in nature and you need not worry at all. Suppose if you are working in an office and feeling stress in job duty, see the other side angle of the work- like this:   Think honestly for a while—whether you are discharging your duty sincerely?  Think honestly for getting real answers. 3. Many people do one mistake like seeing every point in magnifying lens. Actually, the stressing point is not that much serious. 4. How to get relief from stress? Take deep breath for awhile, at the same time, bring thumb and for finger pressing with each other for 6 to 7seconds. Then expire the breathed air through the mouth and at the same time releasing both the fingers slowly. Like this you have to do for 3 times. While doing this breathing exercise every time, relax the shoulder, chin and the body freely, and also lightly press the temple area of the head with the fingers. By this technique the muscles and the nerves in the body get stability and relief is obtained. 5. Daily take the bath with warm water after coming from the work or duty. Due to bath, blood circulation is improved; muscle get relaxed, stress is decreased relief is obtained. 6. Never forget about the sex (if you are married person). Sex brings orgasm mental solace to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , ,

Stress: Causes, Symptoms and Control

January 26, 2007 by 1 Comment

 As per recent reports, by 2020, stress is the second most important cause of death. In daily life, we have to face stress in education, at home and work place and financial matters etc. If the problems are of small nature, we can adjust. Otherwise, stress appears in the mind. Never neglect stress. Little stress is useful in daily life to achieve targets and goals. Heavy stress takes a toll on the body. Causes of stress: 1. Disturbed relationships. 2. Competitive life style. 3. Fast paced life in all fields. Signs and Symptoms of Stress: 1. Sleeplessness (Insomnia). 2. Feeling cry or weeping. 3. Weakness in the body. 4. Loss of interest in the life. How to deal with stress: Mind Managers: Psychologists who help us in controlling the stress. The mind managers treat the stress with the help of the three methods. 1. Behavioral therapy: Try to change the mind set of the person from negative thinking to positive thinking. This helps to boost his self confidence. 2. Hypnotherapy: It should be done under the guidance of the experts. They ask the person to bring into mind the past good events in his life and feel happy. This helps to develop calmness. 3. Spiritual Therapy: Mind managers try to create confidence in him and belief in GOD. Golden rule: Do your duty sincerely. Never bother about results. GOD will take care of it. Controlling stress is in our hands. Type A behavior (Over ambitious) persons are high risk cases for stress related disorders. Please share your stress control techniques. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stress · Tagged With: , , , ,
« Older Posts