Coping With The Stress Of Life (2)

The following are some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress and it may be important for you to identify the symptoms you typically experience when you're under stress. If you know your red flags, you can take early steps to deal with the stressful situation before your emotionsspiral goes out of control. There are Cognitive Symptoms such as memory problems, indecisiveness, inability to concentrate, trouble thinking clearly, poor judgment, seeing only the negative, anxious or racing thoughts, constant worrying, loss of objectivity, and fearful anticipation. Also included are physical symptoms such as headaches or backaches, muscle tension and stiffness, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, weight loss or gain, loss of sex drive. There are also Emotional symptoms such as moodiness, agitation, restlessness, short temper, irritability, impatience, inability to relax, feeling tense and “on edge”, feeling overwhelmed, sense of loneliness and isolation, depression or general unhappiness, we could also have some behavioral symptoms as eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little, isolating yourself from others, procrastination or neglecting responsibilities, using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax, nervous habits e.g nail biting or pacing, teeth biting or jaw clenching, overdoing activities such as shopping or exercising, overreacting to unexpected problems, and picking fights with others. Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can also be caused by other psychological and medical problems. If you're experiencing any of the warning signs of stress, it's important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not your symptoms are stress-related.
Some of the causes of stress will include what I would like to describe as the top ten stressful life events and these will include: death of a spouse, divorce, marriage separation, jail term, death of a close relative, severe injury or illness, marriage, being fired from job, marriage reconciliation and retirement. The potential causes of stress are numerous and highly individualized. What you consider stressful depends on many factors, including your personality, general outlook on life, problem-solving abilities, and social support system. Sometimes what's stressful to you may not faze someone else, or they may even enjoy it. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy listening to music while they drive. The pressures and demands that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that forces us to adjust can be a stressor. This includes positive events such as getting married or receiving a promotion. Regardless of whether an event is good or bad, if the adjustment it requires strains our coping skills and adaptive resources, the end result is stress.
Major life events are stressors. Whether it be a divorce, a child leaving home, a planned pregnancy, a move to a new town, a career change, graduating from college, or a diagnosis of cancer or HIV/AIDS, the faster or more dramatic the change, the greater the strain. Furthermore, the more major life changes you're dealing with at any one time, the more stress you'll feel. While major life changes are stressful, they are also relative rarities. After all, it's not every day that you file for divorce or have a baby. However, you may battle traffic, argue with your family members, or worry about your finances on a daily basis. Because these small upsets occur so regularly, they end up affecting us the most.
Daily causes of stress include: Environmental stressors Your physical surroundings can set off the stress response. Examples of environmental stressors include an unsafe neighborhood, pollution, noise (sirens keeping you up at night, a barking dog next door), and uncomfortable living conditions. For people living in crime-ridden areas or war-torn regions, the stress may be unrelenting. Family and relationship stressors Problems with friends, romantic partners, and family members are common daily stressors. Marital disagreements, dysfunctional relationships, rebellious teens, or caring for a chronically-ill family member or a child with special needs can all send stress levels skyrocketing. Work stressors: In our career-driven society, work can be an ever-present source of stress. Work stress is caused by things such as job dissatisfaction, an exhausting workload, insufficient pay, office politics, and conflicts with your boss or co-workers. Social stressors: Your social situation can cause stress. For example, poverty, financial pressures, racial and sexual discrimination or harassment, unemployment, isolation, and a lack of social support all take a toll on daily quality of life. There are also Internal Causes of Stress, not all stress is caused by external pressures and demands. Your stress can also be self-generated.