by Rob Kall, M.Ed. and Rhonda Greenberg, Psy.D.
It’s amazing what stress can do to you! A huge range of physical or psychological
problems can be caused by stress. The list could go on for pages. A maladaptive stress
response can also disrupt your nervous system, to the point of marring your ability to
perceive the world or function well in it.
But your stress response isn't all bad. In fact, when functioning properly, it is very
good for you. Problems develop when your stress response overreacts or keeps acting when
it's no longer needed. The deciding factor lies in your ability to handle it.
Stress in Action
What would you do in these situations:
1) You're strolling through a shopping mall and suddenly you remember an important
meeting you have in ten minutes.
2) As you walk across the street, you hear screeching brakes right behind you.
You'd probably start moving fast in each case. Your nervous system is programmed to
energize and alert you rapidly in situations requiring quick action, focusing all your
strength and concentration to escape danger or make the most of opportunities. The stress
response is actually a life saver and life enhancer-- or it was intended to be. The human
body is designed to handle stress. The stress response's bad name comes from the mistaken
idea that stress is a consequence of the stressors in life-- bills, deadlines,
disagreements, etc. The truth is that trouble comes only when we overreact to these basic
incidents in life, when our stress response is activated too often and stays on alert too
long.
What sets off YOUR stress response? It can be triggered by upsetting, racing, even
happy thoughts, and by exciting, frightening, startling or frustrating situations. Facial
expressions, muscle tension and increased body, hormone or nervous system activity can
activate it; so can stimulants and certain foods or allergens, or injury. Even
tension-producing silence or inactivity will sometimes set it off.
Your Body When Stress Strikes
The stress response starts in the part of your brain which operates your primitive
nervous system. It sets off a cascade of energy resource activating functions all aimed at
maximizing your ability to fight or flee. Breathing becomes fast and shallow (asthma,
allergy, hyperventilation), heart beat speeds up (PVCs, tachycardia, panic attack),
muscles tense (pain, headache, repetitive strain injury) blood flow is inhibited hands
and/or feet cool (Raynaud’s, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy) your mind races or
goes blank (anxiety, impaired performance or creativity, insomnia) or different organ
systems go off kilter, (reduced immune function, diabetes, infertility, PMS)
Handling stress problems takes positive action on your part. There are four
approaches you can use that work separately or together.
1) Give yourself stress innoculations. If you know you are going to be facing a
stressful situation, plan. Think about how you can cope with the stress. Imagine facing it
and staying calm and relaxed.
2)Reduce the duration of time you experience stress discomfort by taking several deep
breaths and, letting go of muscle tension
3) Communicate. Talk about what’s bothering you ahead of time or during the time
you are stressed. Keep the goal of how to solve the problem in mind, so you don’t get
carried away with the problem.
4) Plan rest and relaxation breaks-- oases-- throughout your day.
Check Optimal Health Concepts’ Stress Management and Emotional Wellness Links Web
site for a wealth of links related to stress. http://imt.net/~randolfi/StressLinks.html
Just a note: If there is a mind/body optimal living topic you’d like covered,
write to us care of Focus on Newtown, P.O. Box 701 Newtown PA 18940
