How to Recognize Signs of Stress
How to
Recognize
Signs of
Stress
Health or
Medical
Recognizing Possible Signs of Stress migraine or tension headache upset stomach diarrhea high blood pressure
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Frequent or lingering colds
Acne or pimples
Cold sores on mouth dizziness
Mental and
Emotional irritability lose sense of humor often on the verge of tears crying spells feeling that you can’t cope are suspicious of others difficulty concentrating difficulty making decisions making poor decisions
Behavioral sleep badly snap or shout at those around you fiddle with your hair high pitched or nervous laughter trembling, shaking, excessive blinking find it difficult to talk to people have trouble completing tasks
Over eating drink or smoke more that usual just can’t think lack of energy dryness of the throat and mouth reduced sex drive grinding teeth or clenching jaw
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Stress is the physical and emotional response we have to events that threaten or challenge us.
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Stress
Catastrophic events - Sudden, powerful events that occur quickly and affect many people simultaneously (9/11)
Personal stressors - Major life events
Daily hassles - Minor irritants of life
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Physical Response to Stress
Faster heart beat
Breathing more rapid and shallow
Body produces more sweat
Internal organs churn out hormones
Immune system weakens
Susceptible to illness
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Around one-third of people in the United
States are obese, which is 20% above average weight for a person of given height.
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Prepare
Reduce amounts of caffeine
Get plenty of rest
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Organize: Identify Causes of Stress
List stressors in your life
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Work: Develop Effective Coping Strategies
Take charge of situation
Don’t waste energy trying to change the unchangeable
Look for silver lining
Talk to friends
Relax
Keep commitments, but delete unnecessary events from your busy calendar
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Rethink
Place stress in perspective
Don’t sweat the small stuff
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Keeping Well
Eat right
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and grain products
• Avoid foods high in sugar
• Seek a diet low in fat and cholesterol
• Eat three regular meals per day
• Watch out for hidden contents of various foods
• Beware of eating disorders
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or or
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Career Connections
Anticipate job stress and consider choosing a career in a field that produces less stress, especially if you have difficulty dealing with stress.
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