411 Bliss

Does your partner think that you are having a problem with stress management? Are you constantly being asked about your mental health status? Is this worrying you? Do you know how to manage and overcome stress?

If your stress levels are being commented on, friends and families might see you as a tense and stressed individual. Of course, this might be your personality or personal style. You might think that other people are far too relaxed, even sloppy in their attitudes. Whereas you are well-organized, responsible, efficient, and let’s face it - uptight!

Milton Friedman, a cardiologist, saw many patients who had cardiac disease who were extremely distressed and burnt out. He characterized these as having Type A personalities, that is, these people were driven, tense and uptight. It is possible to measure your personality if you are interested in so doing.

When you are frightened or stressed, your body pumps adrenaline or cortisol to prepare you to react effectively. The stimulus is called a stressor. The stressor is designed to activate your system to respond quickly.

What stressors cause you the most problem? A typical list includes complex and high paced lifestyle, boredom, financial difficulties, and relationship problems. Perhaps there are health problems in your family that worry you. Perhasps your relationship is breaking down?

Everyone experiences stress. Some psychologists believe that stress can be good for you but only in small doses. There is a positive stress which is called eustress. Distress creates significant emotional and physical discomfort. If stress last for a long time, the negative effects can be dangerous.

Have you ever been in a situation where there have been extra demands placed on you to complete tasks perhaps with a short timeline? In these cases, a heightened level of tension can make you much more productive and efficient. So stress CAN have, in some situations, a beneficial effect.

When we have too much negative stress, we can act quite differently. We might become short tempered, angry, irritable and confrontational. Our skin might get blotchy. Our heart rate might go up to very high levels. These are all signs of being burnt out or stressed.

Unfortunately very few people have been lucky enough to be taught practical and effective stress management strategies. In order to be able to reduce the stress in our lives, we need information and strategies. Both must have an evidence base so that we are reading accurate information and using well proven and effective strategies for stress management and reduction.