Stress

Stress is the way our bodies physically and emotionally react to the changes and demands in our lives.

Causes differ

What is stressful for one person may not be for another. Someone might consider a certain event a minor irritation, while someone else may view the same thing as a major strain.

Stress can result from negative or positive experiences. Bad experiences -- traffic jams, arguments, divorce or illnesses -- certainly cause stress. But happy events, such as weddings, new jobs or a new baby can cause it as well.

Positive stress

A small amount of stress can be positive. Some people seem to perform best during challenging situations like speaking in front of a large audience. The key is learning to manage stress and having time to recover after stressful events.

Negative stress

Ongoing and unmanageable stress can become overwhelming and negative. Such stress can cause

• sweaty palms
• an upset stomach
• headaches
• backaches
• inability to sleep
• bouts of uncontrollable crying
• irritable, depressed and/or anxious feelings

Reducing stress

To reduce the stress in your life you need to identify and understand the cause.

1. List everything that causes you to feel "stressed out."
2. Examine each stressor and see what changes you can make to decrease its effect. For example, if driving through busy traffic stresses you out, try changing your route to avoid heavy traffic.

Managing stress

Even when you can't remove a stressor from your life, you can learn to manage it. Simple things like taking a warm bath, going to a movie, playing with a pet or laughing out loud can relax and re-energize you.

Other ways to help manage stress include

• getting enough sleep at night
• talking to family and friends about your feelings and problems
• getting physical exercise like taking a walk or biking
• writing in a journal
• setting time aside in your day for hobbies like crafts or reading
• trying relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or stretching

When to get help

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to deal with stress, you may need some help.

1. See a doctor, who can help rule out any medical reasons for your problem.
2. If no physical problem is present, consider seeing a professional counselor who can help you understand your feelings.

There are programs and groups for those who want to reduce the effects of stress in their lives. For more information, consult your local health care provider or library.

Related Links

Allina Mental Health: Locations

Alternative medicine: Stress

Stress management

First published: 12/02/99
Last updated: 03/14/2006

Reviewed by: Susan Tabor, BSN, RN, care center director, Behavioral Health Services, United Hospital