What Can Cause Stress?
In today's fast paced, ever-changing society, many factors or
stressors are believed to contribute significantly to our most serious
health problems. Individual perception of stress varies from person to
person, but most often stress is related to situations in which you
are forced to adapt to in a way that is difficult or unpleasant.
Many life events and the ability to cope with them are closely related
to stress-related health problems. Some stressful events are the death
of a loved one, alienation of affection, geographical moves, decline
in self-esteem, or change in job status. Threats to marital, family or
social status, to health or security may also be particularly
stressful. Patterns of change, both for better or worse, can also
cause stress.
Particular kinds of work seem to cause special stresses related to the
nature of the work or imposed irregularities, For example, rotating
shift work which disturbs the normal sleep cycle, produces chronic
stress by repeatedly upsetting daily rhythms that control specific
hormones and other responses. Jobs that entail little variation but
close attention, such as assembly-line work involving dangerous
machinery, also seem particularly stressful. People in high-stress
jobs often view their situation as controlling: too much to do, too
little time, unstimulating and no way to escape.
Much has also been written about the role of personality and
stress-related conditions, particularly heart disease. Individuals who
are very tense, impatient, highly competitive and seem to be driven by
time and the need to succeed (Type A persons) seem to be at a higher
risk for stress-related diseases than others who are more relaxed and
less competitive.
How Can Stress Affect My Health?
Stress is associated with the "fight or flight response" and
consequent rises in the levels of stress-related hormones. Growing
evidence suggests that these hormonal changes may contribute to both
physical and psychological health problems. It is thought to be a
factor in various diseases, including heart disease, ulcers and other
digestive disorders, psychological problems, asthma, high blood
pressure, migraine, arthritis and diseases affecting the immune system
and the body's ability to fight infections.
People under significant stress are also at high risk of alcohol or
drug abuse, overeating and smoking, other potentially self-destructive
behavior, depression and other mental illness.
What Can I Do To Help Prevent and
Cope With Stress?
Prevention and management of stress, like stress itself, is a very
individual matter. In general, people benefit most from the technique
for which they are best suited psychologically. Some may wish to talk
at length to another individual to help them understand the root of
their problem. Others may wish to seek the support of group therapy
which may be valuable in providing needed social support.
- Refusing to accept the notion that
a situation is irreversible;
- Endurance by seeking and gaining
the support of others.
- Receive Massage Therapy on a regular basis to
help reduce the physical and chemical stress in your muscles.
- Chiropractic Care can help reduce pain from
injuries that are causing you and your family additional stress.
What Kind of Techniques Can I
Learn To Reduce Stress?
There are also several teachable coping techniques designed
specifically to reduce stress:
- Relaxation training, including meditation, which if
practiced regularly can produce benefits well beyond the prescribed
relaxation periods.
- Aerobic exercise programs, which
have been found to reduce the levels of stress-related hormones as
well as promoting heart conditioning and weight control.
- Biofeedback training, a somewhat
controversial technique which involves learning to control normally
involuntary body functions, such as slowing the heart rate, lowering
blood pressure, and halting vascular or muscle spasms associated
with certain pain syndromes.
- Social support programs, the value
of which cannot be overemphasized in times of stress.
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Remember: Stress has many causes and
serious effects. Your doctor of chiropractic can provide you with a
complete examination and specific recommendations for reducing stress
and its potential health consequences in your case. Should
stress-related health conditions require evaluation by another health
care specialist, your chiropractor will refer you.
