Stress Management

Stress is a normal physiological response of the body to a hostile environment and symptoms of stress are manifestations of this response. Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. This is called the fight-or-flight stress response. The body tries to overcome stress by certain physiological adjustments .If the body succeeds, then after sometime the physiological adjustments and the stress symptoms revert back to normal. If it fails the physiological adjustments and the stress symptoms persists. It is this persistence of the response that matters. The affected person may develop physical, physiological or psychological problems. He may not be able to lead a normal life.

Though the number of stress and stress related disorders in on the rise there is no specific stress reliever, which can tackle all the effects of stress. This is the reason why different stress management programs come as a package containing various options. A stress reliever can be of any forms. It can be a drug, an exercise, a herb, ball, a game or even a food supplement. Each and every option has its own merits and demerits.

Psychotherapy is effective stress reliever. The person's problem is assessed first and solution is provided. One of the important therapies is the ‘Cognitive behavior therapy.’ This helps a person to understand his problem and perceive it in a different way so that it does not affect him.

Meditation is a process in which there occurs relaxation of mind. There are two types, meditation that needs focusing and meditation that does not need focusing.

In the first method, the person focuses on any object, sound, image or thought and takes deep breaths for about 20 - 30 minutes. This prevents distraction of mind resulting in relaxation and mood elevation.

In the second method, there is no need to concentrate. The person just sits comfortably with eyes closed and chants mantras. This also produces mind relaxation. The mindfulness meditation and the transcendental meditation belong to the latter group.

People can learn to manage stress and lead happier, healthier lives. Here are some tips to help you keep stress at bay. There are some other general rules that can help you to lead a stress free life...

Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Keep a positive attitude. Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi for stress management. Learn to manage your time more effectively. Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you enjoy. Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life. Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit. Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress. Set limits appropriately and learn to say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life. Make time for hobbies, interests, and relaxation.

Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events. Accept that there are events that you cannot control. Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.