Definition Of Stress

“Stressed Girl” Image License: XS courtesy auremar

Stress, in its simplest terms, is our REACTION to changes around us. Note the definition does NOT point to the change itself, but our reaction to it.

So, stress is NOT what happens to us, but how we react to it.

That’s good news, because, the definition of stress suggests it is something we can control. While we may not be able to control changes around us, we can certainly attempt to control how we REACT to them.

Our reaction determines the effects stress has on our body and mind.

WHAT KIND OF CHANGES CAUSE STRESS?

The changes that cause our stress could be internal or external.

When our brain perceives a change to be a threat to our survival, it releases stress hormones, or cortisol, into our system, to prepare us to FIGHT the change, or if necessary, to FLEE from it.

These hormones are necessary, and are put to good use naturally, if the situation indeed is a real threat for our physical survival. Like when we are attacked by a robber, for instance!

However the unfortunate reality is, most of the situations we run into in our daily lives do not have anything to do with our physical survival. And consequently, most of these situations DO NOT warrant the release of these stress hormones into our system.

And yet, because of the importance we consciously or unconsciously assign to these situations, these chemicals do get released into our body on daily basis.

Something simple enough like not being organized can cause the release of these chemicals in our body.

And our body reacts the same way to a perceived threat, as it does to a real threat, by releasing equal hormones.

Here are some of the biggest causes of stress in our lives today.

WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE UNNECESSARY STRESS HORMONES THAT ARE RELEASED INTO OUR SYSTEM?

They remain there. We cannot PHYSICALLY fight off most of today’s problems. Nor can we literally run away from them.

So these stress hormones do not get used up for FIGHTING our threat, or FLEEING from it, which is the reason our body produced them in the first place.

So unless we engage ourselves in an activity that involves our physical and mental resources in an equivalent way – like exercise – these released chemicals continue to inhabit our system, and accumulate over time.

Check out the symptoms of stress if you think you have them, but unsure.

HOW DO THESE HORMONES THAT REMAIN IN OUR SYSTEM AFFECT US?

They cause us to be constantly in an alarm state. They deprive us of our much needed sleep. We are on alert and constantly on the look out for the “enemy”, in preparation to FIGHT it or FLEE from it.

They impair our judgment, erode our self confidence, and cause us to be irritable and angry all the time.

Stress hormones are one of the most overlooked, but nevertheless, seriouscauses of memory loss. And worse, sometimes they cause the stress or fear to escalate into panic attacks or anxiety disorders as well.

HOW TO PREVENT STRESS

Follow these THREE stress prevention rules:

  • No Negativity: Control negative thoughts arising out of another person’s words or actions.

Remember the definition of stress? Its about our reaction.

Use the above rules to beat stress in its own game, by learning how controlling your reactions in stressful situations can greatly reduce their impact on you.

Below are some of the tools and resources you could use as well, to help relieve your daily stress.

NEED MORE HELP?

If you’d like some helping hand in relieving your daily stress and anxiety, listening to self hypnosis audios is one possible way to help you feel better, quickly and naturally. Here are a couple of sessions that are suited for this purpose:

Relieve stress and tension in mind and body

Ease away tension headaches quickly and naturally

 

 

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