The Good Kind of Stress
The classic image of stress: a student thumping his pencil on his notebook, as if he is trying to beat the math problems waiting to be finished in front of him; a weary mother rubbing her temples and furrowing her brow, mentally listing the tasks she must finish; a business man on the edge of breaking down, all of the day’s occurrences running through his mind. When one experiences stress, the only thing he or she want to do is finish work, go to bed, and release all stress. Stress affects almost all of us at some point in our lives. When we think about stress, we tend to immediately assume that all stress is negative and is harmful to our health. However, as hard as it may be to believe, stress can actually be good for us. According to yoga instructor Jennifer Parmelee, we actually “need stress, to a certain degree.” (Weaver)
“The number one reason for spa-goers to go to the spa is to reduce stress” (Why Spa?) It seems as though everyone these days has excess stress, and everyone is looking for relief. But if we get rid of too much stress, we find ourselves to be unmotivated, bored, and unchallenged. Stress is a great motivator that pushes us to learn, adapt, and grow. On the contrary, some say a great amount of stress can actually inhibit you, rather than motivate you. Stress does not have to inhibit you; managing stress effectively helps you perform better under pressure.
“When we sense danger, the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction.” (Smith)
“The stress response is the body’s way of protecting us” (Power). When the stress response is functioning properly, it helps us stay focused and alert. Sometimes, in emergency situations...
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...om extra work to having one’s posessions stolen - is bad for our health.
Everyone worries, but being aware of stress is making people believe that their excessive emotions during harsh times are symptoms that need treating. It makes people feel as though they are not in charge of their lives. Perhaps if we manage and apply our stress effectively, it wouldn’t be thought of as so terrible, rather a good motivation.
Works Cited
Association, International Spa. Why Spa? 13 July 2010. 1 August 2011.
Power, Marianne. Stress is Good for You! May 2009. 1 August 2011.
Seligman, Martin E.P. The science of optimism and hope: research essays in honor of Martin E.P Seligman. Templeton: Templeton Foundation Press, 2000.
Smith, Melinda. Understanding Stress. June 2011. 1 August 2011.
Weaver, Jane. Can stress actually be good for you? 20 December 2006. 1 August 2011.
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... well as other stress-related disorders, can lead us to answer questions about what happens to our bodies in times of stress and how we can learn to manage our stress and calm ourselves down. While we may desire to stay young forever and live carefree in the neverland, stress is not the fairy dust necessary to go to the second star to the right and straight on 'till morning.
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The purpose of this paper is to define stress and how it effects the body's physiological systems. This paper will include the normal functions and organs involved in the following five physiological systems, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and musculoskeletal. This paper will also include a description of a chronic illness associated with each physiological system and how the illness is affected by stress.
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