Is Stress Normal?
Everywhere you turn these days, you see advice on how to reduce your stress levels. While stress seems to be something unwanted, is it actually normal?
Your body has a natural defense system and does what it has to in order to defend itself when necessary. This is known as a fight or flight response and is often associated with situations of fear.
When this response kicks into gear, your body reacts in different ways. You may find that you become more energetic, alert and focused. Some people may find that they become frightened and truly just want to run away.
The fight or flight response is a way that your body deals with stress as well. While a certain amount of stress is healthy, too much stress can put strain on you, both mentally and physically.
For example, a woman’s body experiences a good deal of stress when going through child-birth. While the body is under pressure and the woman is experiencing a multitude of emotions, the outcome is a good one: The birth of a new child.
Stress becomes a problem when the cause of the stress is extreme. Your body reacts by producing a variety of symptoms. These include things such as headaches, muscle spasms, back pain, anxiety, loss of appetite or increased appetite, mood swings and an upset stomach.
Some people are able to manage their stress to a higher level. This boils down to how you deal with different circumstances, your attitude, your support network and your own current state of health. People who are suffering from a chronic illness tend to have much lower tolerances to stress.
So while stress is a normal bodily reaction, it’s important to know when your stress levels are too high. Once you know how you react to stress, you will know when it is time to take action.
You need to know how to take control of your life and reduce your stress levels. This means learning how to say no, when necessary. You don’t have to be a super hero and no-one is asking you to be one.
Instead, learn how to balance your professional and private lives and ensure that you schedule in time for yourself regularly. While anyone can become stressed out, those people who have demanding jobs seem to be at a much higher risk. Do not be afraid to ask for time off or to refuse working an extra shift–your health depends on it.
Your partner in stress management,
James
For more about the primary and secondary stress responses, as well as the warning signs that you are stressed-out, check out my “Effects of Stress on Your Body” infographic.