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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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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Each bodily physiological system has an individual established set point, or level of balance; however, some fluctuations in these levels are tolerated. The balance of any system can be, and regularly is disturbed by internal and/or external events of the mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, and/or social types. When this balance is disrupted, and involuntary mobilizations of biological processes are not able to re-establish it, an alarm reaction is activated (Schedlowski and Tewes, 1999). This reaction is referred to as a stress response, and the activating agent is the stressor (Selye, 1936).
Stress, as defined as a reaction to a stimulus that breaks our physical and mental harmony, is ubiquitous. However, stress has two sides – the bad and the good, in which the latter is mostly overlooked as most people suffer from the affliction of the former.
Life is full of obstacles and has shown people that stress is very common and a part of life. When you are running around all the time like you are in an emergency mode, your body will pay the price. What some people do not know is that stress can actually be helpful and can cause a positive effect on you. It can serve as a motivation and be useful under pressure. Without stress, our lives would be boring and pointless.
Kelly McGonigal, A health psychologist admits to being wrong about stress in her speech entitled, “How to Make Stress Your Friend”. It was once widely believed that stress causes health problems. However, due to in depth studies on stress, and new way of thinking towards a chemical in our body, new research has proved that knowing and understanding stress is the first step in reforming our body’s responses from tense to relaxed. Therefore, in the long run, turning stress into a much healthier alternative through positive thinking. McGonigal uses cause and effect, syntax, and appeals to change the way we think about stress. Being mindful and having positive thoughts, living in the moment and reaching out to support systems can influence our
Many people think of stress as a simple problem. In reality however, stress is complex and often misunderstood. We all know that stress is the body’s reaction to any demand on it. Perceptions of events, whether positive or negative, activate stress. It is, therefore, a highly individual affair. What is stressful to ‘X’ may not be so to another. But it is fairly easy to conclude that everyone lives under a certain amount of stress. In fact, the only people without stress are dead. At the same time it is certainly wrong to conclude that stress is always bad. Mild stress may improve the productivity. It may force people to focus more sharply on the problem and produce solutions. But if stress is severe and persist for long periods of time, it can be harmful. Stress can be disruptive to an individual as any
Stress is defined as “any circumstance that threatens or is perceived to threaten one’s well-being and thereby tax one’s coping abilities” (Weiten & Lloyd, 2006, p. 72). Stress is a natural event that exists literally in all areas of one’s life. It can be embedded in the environment, culture, or perception of an event or idea. Stress is a constant burden, and can be detrimental to one’s physical and mental health. However, stress can also provide beneficial effects; it can satisfy one’s need for stimulation and challenge, promote personal growth, and can provide an individual with the tools to cope with, and be less affected by tomorrow’s stress (Weiten & Lloyd, 2006, p. 93).
"Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress; 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints; stress is linked to the six leading causes of death--heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide." (Miller, 1993, p.12) " Stress plays havoc with our health, our productivity, our pocketbooks, and our lives, but it is necessary, even desirable." (Oxford, 1998, p.29)
Stress is an ongoing dilemma that occurs in each and everyone’s life. It is a factor that is undoubtedly a part of daily living. Due to the trivial problems that occur in people’s daily lives massive amounts of stress can arise. People perceive and manage stress in many different ways. The causes and effects of stress are numerous and one’s ability to manage stress is vital in maintaining healthy living.
Stress has various effects on the body, both psychological and physiological. Stress can have positive effects on the body and can be beneficial, but frequent stress will eventually cause negative effects on the body.
Stress is not always harmful, many individuals need a bit of low levels of stress to improve their performance. For example, students preparing for an exam will be motivated to do exceptionally well on the exam. High levels of stress will increase in anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and tension.
Modern life is full of troubles, frustrations and deadlines. People have to suffer stressful from many directions and they seem to be consent to live with stress. Many people think that they can stand with stressful and it is harmless, but it is not. If people live in stress during a long period of time, it has bad effect to health and spirit. Therefore, there is actually that you can protect yourself by understanding stress and how to reduce these harmful effects caused by stress.