Patient Education Series December 2007
Stress Management
What are some of the most common causes of stress?
Stress can arise for a variety of reasons. Stress can be brought about by a traumatic accident, death, or emergency situation. Stress can also be a side effect of a serious illness or disease. There is also stress associated with daily life, the workplace, and family responsibilities.
How do people tend to react to stress?
During stress, women tend to care for their children and find support from their female friends. Women’s bodies make chemicals that are believed to promote these responses. One of these chemicals is oxytocin (ahk-see-toe-sin), which has a calming effect during stress. Women also have the hormone estrogen, which boosts the effects of oxytocin.
Men, however, have high levels of testosterone during stress, which blocks the calming effects of oxytocin and causes hostility, withdrawal, and anger.
How does stress affect my body and my health?
Both short and long-term stress can have effects on your body. Research is starting to show the serious effects of stress on our bodies. Stress triggers changes in our bodies and makes us more likely to get sick. It can also make problems we already have worse. Below are a few examples of what stress can cause.
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Irritability
- Lack of energy
- Lack of concentration
- Eating too much or not at all
- Anger
|
- Sadness
- Tension
- Higher risk of asthma or arthritis flare-ups
- Stomach cramping or bloating
- Skin problems, like hives
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart problems
- Aggravate ulcers
|
How can I help handle my stress?
Don’t let stress make you sick. Listen to your body, so that you know when stress is affecting your health. Here are ways to help you handle your stress:
- Relax
- Make time for yourself
- Get adequate sleep
- Eat right
- Get moving
- Talk to friends
|
- Compromise
- Write down your thoughts in a journal
- Help others
- Get a hobby
- Get help from a professional if you need it
|
|
