Are you Stressed Out?
It comes as a great surprise to most but stress is actually normal. This is the mind’s response to his constantly changing environment, especially those that appear suddenly and threateningly. Stress triggers adrenaline which braces you to either “fight” or to take “flight”. A small amount of manageable stress is beneficial; it keeps you alert and makes you think faster. The adrenaline enables one to put in more effort to face the challenges of everyday life. Stress could actually provide the needed excitement to make life more thrilling.
On the other hand, too much stress over a long period of time could get out of hand and leave you stressed out. Being stressed out leads to complications like eating disorders, skin rashes, peptic ulcer, high blood pressure, heart attack, it may even trigger or worsen asthma attacks in asthma-prone persons.
Recognizing and understanding stress is the first and most important step in stress management. Here are some stress-telling signs and symptoms:
1. Increased heart rate
2. Tensed muscles, especially round the neck and shoulders
3. Difficulty in concentrating
4. Insomnia
5. Loss of appetite or over-eating
6. More cigarette and alcohol intake than usual
7. Anxiety
8. Shortness of breath
9. Getting too aggressive or too defensive
10. Forgetfulness
