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Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as medical direction or advice, therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. This is not a replacement for professional services. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Keri M. Zwerner, MA, LMFT and LifeHealingHeart assume no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved
What is Stress?
Stress is the way your body reacts to change. These changes can come from feelings, situations and people, and they can be good or bad.
Things that cause stress are called stressors. These are some common stressors:
change in your daily routine
change in your health -- catching a cold, breaking an arm
going to a new school
divorce or separation of parents
winning an award
taking a test
death of a relative
imagining or fearing changes (this is called worrying)
pushing your body too hard -- "hitting the wall," "running out of gas"
relationships and peers
overload - school, work, competitive activities
I bet you thought all stress was bad, but, guess what? It isn't!
Most people see stress as worry, tension and pressure, but all stress isn't bad. Some stress can be happy, exciting and challenging. We need stress in our lives, without it life would be pretty dull. For example, right before a race, you may feel a little nervous. This stress helps you stay alert and prepared.
What makes stress good or bad?
The way we think or feel about a situation can make stress good or bad. For example, if your mom told you that you will be moving to a new city, that might cause you stress, because it's a change.
If you're excited and happy about the move, then the move would be considered a good stressor. If you're sad and scared about the move, then it would be considered a bad stressor for you.
Is too much stress bad? Yes
Too much stress can have a negative affect on your body, mind and feelings. How you handle your stress has a lot to do with your health. When stress becomes too frustrating and lasts for long periods, it can become harmful.
Recognizing the early signs of stress and doing something about it can improve the quality of your life. If you have signs of stress very often ... WATCH OUT!
Signs of Stress:
Headaches
Nervousness, anxiety attacks
Itchy skin rashes
Stomachaches, cramps and diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel
Fast heartbeat
Perspiration
Increased urination
Inability to study, lack of concentration
Carelessness or forgetfulness
Boredom
Angry outbursts
Drop in school performance
Nightmares
Feeling sad/depressed, scared, withdrawn
How do you balance the stress in your life?
Stay aware of any signs of stress you may be feeling and learn ways to avoid stress overload:
Talk to a person you feel comfortable with
Take deep breaths and practice deep breathing
Find time to relax and chill out
Exercise daily and do muscle tension relaxation exercises
Get enough sleep and rest
Put humor in your life, learn to laugh at yourself, enjoy humorous events
Don't dwell on your weaknesses
Feel proud of your accomplishments
Get rid of bottled-up anger and frustration through exercise or some sort of physical activity -- punch a pillow or punching bag
Prepare for tests early
Eat nutritious meals or snacks
Take one thing at a time
Set realistic goals
Stop worrying about things that may never happen
Learn from your mistakes
Forgive yourself and others
Get involved with things you like to do
Make time for fun
Do something for others
Stress is the way your body reacts to change. These changes can come from feelings, situations and people, and they can be good or bad.
Things that cause stress are called stressors. These are some common stressors:
change in your daily routine
change in your health -- catching a cold, breaking an arm
going to a new school
divorce or separation of parents
winning an award
taking a test
death of a relative
imagining or fearing changes (this is called worrying)
pushing your body too hard -- "hitting the wall," "running out of gas"
relationships and peers
overload - school, work, competitive activities
I bet you thought all stress was bad, but, guess what? It isn't!
Most people see stress as worry, tension and pressure, but all stress isn't bad. Some stress can be happy, exciting and challenging. We need stress in our lives, without it life would be pretty dull. For example, right before a race, you may feel a little nervous. This stress helps you stay alert and prepared.
What makes stress good or bad?
The way we think or feel about a situation can make stress good or bad. For example, if your mom told you that you will be moving to a new city, that might cause you stress, because it's a change.
If you're excited and happy about the move, then the move would be considered a good stressor. If you're sad and scared about the move, then it would be considered a bad stressor for you.
Is too much stress bad? Yes
Too much stress can have a negative affect on your body, mind and feelings. How you handle your stress has a lot to do with your health. When stress becomes too frustrating and lasts for long periods, it can become harmful.
Recognizing the early signs of stress and doing something about it can improve the quality of your life. If you have signs of stress very often ... WATCH OUT!
Signs of Stress:
Headaches
Nervousness, anxiety attacks
Itchy skin rashes
Stomachaches, cramps and diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel
Fast heartbeat
Perspiration
Increased urination
Inability to study, lack of concentration
Carelessness or forgetfulness
Boredom
Angry outbursts
Drop in school performance
Nightmares
Feeling sad/depressed, scared, withdrawn
How do you balance the stress in your life?
Stay aware of any signs of stress you may be feeling and learn ways to avoid stress overload:
Talk to a person you feel comfortable with
Take deep breaths and practice deep breathing
Find time to relax and chill out
Exercise daily and do muscle tension relaxation exercises
Get enough sleep and rest
Put humor in your life, learn to laugh at yourself, enjoy humorous events
Don't dwell on your weaknesses
Feel proud of your accomplishments
Get rid of bottled-up anger and frustration through exercise or some sort of physical activity -- punch a pillow or punching bag
Prepare for tests early
Eat nutritious meals or snacks
Take one thing at a time
Set realistic goals
Stop worrying about things that may never happen
Learn from your mistakes
Forgive yourself and others
Get involved with things you like to do
Make time for fun
Do something for others
