Learn How To Carry The Load!
Let’s first start off with explaining/defining stress. Stress can ultimately be defined as one’s bodily response to a certain kind of demand or threat. When we feel threatened, our nervous system responds with an increased level of stress hormones, more specifically adrenaline and cortisol which prepares our bodies for action. Stress is associated with numerous physiological responses such as increased heart rate, blood pressure and increased perspiration etc. These responses can be detected in stress tests also called exercise stress tests which gather information based on your heart rate during physical activity. This type of test is conducted/evaluated by a specialized individual such as a doctor and can reveal heart problems that may not be noticeable otherwise.
Stress is and can be caused by a number of factors and can be both external and internal. External factors include major life events, children and family, financial difficulties and numerous others. Internal factors on the other hand, includes pessimism, worry, and negative self-talk and so on and so forth. The types of stressors vary and fluctuate according to different periods in our life, in essence in relation to our goals, values and other important life aspects within that time frame. Stress inventories can shed light on which stressors are an issue for that particular individual. As a university student, my stress level plummets exponentially during periods of high stress such as exams, assignment due dates and during other highly evaluative times. If I would be given stress inventories regarding my stress levels during this time, they would most probably be sky rocket high!
In small amounts, stress is actually beneficial. For instance, stress often pushes me to meet challenges, increases my concentration and pushes me to study rather than doing other things, shielding me from various distractors. Stress overload on the other hand, is associated with a number physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms, which can have severe repercussions on health. During exams for instance, my stress can become excessive to the point where it actually interferes with my ability to concentrate and retain information.
There are various stress inventories that can be taken in order to assess ones stress levels such as The Social Readjustment Rating scale, also known as the Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory. This test contains various life events in which participants are expected to indicate whether this particular event occurred within the previous year. Each event is assigned points which are to be summed up, indicating the relative amount of life change and susceptibility of stress according to the mean value obtained. This test can be criticized due to the fact that individuals cope differently in the face of major life events. With this being said, simply indicating the instance of a particular event doesn’t shed light on the actual stress experienced by the individual. This can nonetheless be a good inventory to be used among individuals, reminding them of the need to decrease their stress levels if need be in order to avoid health implications.
“Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response to what happens. And response is something we choose” a quote by Maureen Killoran brings forth an important message. Stress is inevitable and cannot be eliminated however one’s response to stress is the most important. It is crucial for individuals to recognize their excessive levels of stress which can be done by completing stress inventories and find ways to cope through exercise, by seeking social support, meditation and several other means which have been found to influence one’s level of stress tolerance.
Stress Symptoms, Signs, and Causes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-causes-and-effects.htm
