What is stress and how can it be managed?

Answer 1

Stress is caused by over-thinking, or holding in an emotion of anger or too much work.

Here are some ways to relieve stress:

• take deep breaths in and out
• take a deep breath in, count to 10, and then breathe out
• cry
• punch your pillow
• silently swear under your breath
• draw something you like
• draw a picture of what is stressing you out, and scribble on it
• shred paper
• take a nap
• take a nice warm bath/shower
• listen to your favorite music
• talk to someone- the dog, your friend, sibling, or parent
• close your eyes and imagine yourself being in a peaceful place
• watch T.V.
• play a game
• read a book
• Ignore your stress, and don't let it get to you :)

Answer 2

Stress is a physiologic response to external stimuli and can be negative or positive. Biologically, stress is mediated by the initial release of epinephrine and norephinephrine and chronically by the release of glucocorticoid steroid hormones. Generally stress is thought of as negative in western cultures and symptoms of negative stress including difficulty concentrating, reduced memory capacity, difficulty sleeping, changes in eating habits, elevated blood pressure, headaches and increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.

Stress can be managed a number of ways. To start, it needs to be identified as stress and recognized as being something that can be managed and reduced. Once the source and the symptoms of the stress have been identified, mediation strategies can be developed. For short-term stress, breathing exercises, relaxing, spending time with friends and family and taking a nap can all help reduce the stress level. For long-term stress, more extensive strategies may be needed, such as learning more efficient time management skills, learning how to manage conflict or uncertainty, avoiding certain stress triggers and possibly pharmacologic interventions.