Stress | |
| Stress is an emotional factor that can cause mental tension and may lead to physical disease. It may not always be harmful; some people thrive on stress and the challenge it brings and lead healthy and productive lives. However, if you are to use stress to your advantage then physical fitness and an ordered daily existence and regular time set aside for recreation and family activities must be part of your lifestyle. The person who abuses his body with smoking, alcohol, caffeine, long hours of work, no exercise or leisure and survives the stress of the modern work place is the exception rather than the rule. Enjoying your work whether it is at home or in the workforce is essential if you are to avoid stress. Boring repetitious work can lead to frustration and increase stress level. If the stress of the situation is getting you down, your energy level will deteriorate and unexplained tiredness associated with lack of enthusiasm will occur. Your ability to work will be affected, you will become mentally confused, forgetful and make mistakes, irritability and over reaction to minor upsets will occur and you will become introverted and feel that everyone but you is coping and succeeding. Physically most of the problems associated with failure to cope with stress involve the fight of flight syndrome. With the onset of stress which cannot be coped with, adrenaline and noradrenaline will be produced in the body as if preparing the physical response to the threat by fight or flight. Under the influence of these hormones, the heart beats rapidly, blood is forced out into the circulation, blood pressure rises, the face turns pale as blood is directed to the main areas where it is supposedly needed, the muscles, for fight or flight. Mentally stress can produce acute or chronic anxiety states. Physically it affects the heart, the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, the kidneys and bladder and the skin. Hormonal in both male and female are affected and the immune system which controls your ability to overcome disease may be suppressed. If you consider that you are not coping with a stressful situation than consult your doctor. Counselling and medication may be necessary. You will have to identify the cause of stress and remove from its influence or be guided into a lifestyle and an emotional state which will enable you to face up to and overcome the ill effects of a stressful situation which can be modified but not done away with altogether. |
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Calories | |
Exercise |
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Fibre | |
Healthy Living and Holidays |
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Obesity | |
Sexual Activity |
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Stress | |
Work |
