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The effects of stress on your body and your mind
This is another page dedicated to our old "friend" Stress, and the effects it can produce on our body, mind and behavior.
Stress can manifest itself in a number of ways, and we react with a variety of signs and symptoms. Effects of stress include: headaches, rapid and shallow breathing, diarrhea, upset stomach, a fast heart rate - even palpitations. We may feel irritable, complaining of constant fatigue. We may feel jumpy; we may begin to doubt our abilities. Our mind starts playing nasty jokes on us, telling us we're big failures, or it will create nagative and disconcerting thoughts.
As you may remember from a previous page, stress can affect you immediately (acute stress) or over time (chronic).
The acute kind involves the body's reaction to anything that it perceives as dangerous. Chronic stress, in my opinion, is the nastier of the two. It's like a snake, silently slithering over us until it takes our breath away. Over a period of time, chronic stress can have serious detrimental effects on just about every organ system. It can lead to disrhytmias (irregular heartbeats), atherosceloris (hardening of the arteries), myocardial infarction (heart attack). It may also lead to stomach problems such as ulcers, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and acid reflux. Acne and psoriasis are often linked to chronic stress. And did you know that eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can also be devastating manifestations of stress, of inner conflict? Please read more about anorexia by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. You won't be disappointed. Oh, just one thing - and I really do not mean to be a stick in the mud.... I used the word "dysrhythmia" rather than the more popular "arrhythmia". It's because, if you really want to get technical (and I guess I do, today) arrhythmia refers to the total absence of a rhythm. But irregular rhythms would be correctly named "dysrhythmias".
To be yourself in a world that's constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
(R.W. Emerson)
Each one of us has her own way of dealing with stress, whether acute or chronic. A friend of mine, for example, will hop on her horse and ride for hours on her property. I like to sit quietly enjoying some music therapy and surrounding myself with therapeutic aromas. We should also remember that what a person may perceive as stressful may not be considered as such by another. This difference is due to a variety of things, including coping strategies, social and family support, and inherited traits.
It may help if you put down on paper how you respond to stress.
Recall at least five recent stressful event, and write how you reacted to them. Don't embellish the recall! In time, you will be able to get an overall picture of how you deal with stress. And by understanding the "how", you will be much better prepared to make changes.
P.S. Why did I put the picture of a robin at the top? Well, just look at it. isn't he perfectly adorable? How can you possibly feel stressed out by looking at that little one?
"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast. You also miss the sense of where you're going and why."
(E. Cantor)
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