2024年3月30日发(作者：聚生网管网络行为管理系统)

Stress: Is It Good or Bad?

Stress is a normal part of everyday life, and it can be both good and bad. For instance, it

can help a person survive threatening situations by preparing the body for defensive action.

The resulting biological changes — a quickened pulse, sharpened senses, tensed

muscles — are “fight-or-flight” responses shared by all humans. “Good” stress can

also stimulate creativity, endurance, and productivity. But even though short-lived or

infrequent episodes of stress can be beneficial, prolonged stress can increase the risk of

personal injury or disease.

Danger Zones

Too much stress has been linked to a number of chronic health problems, such as heart

disease, muscle and joint conditions, and mental health problems. There are three stress

danger zones:

1. Unrelenting or Sustained Stress. If

the body is kept in a constant state of

high alert — with the attending

biological changes in full force — its

systems will become fatigued,

damaged, and unable to repair

themselves.

2. Lack of Control. Stress can be

compounded by a sense of

hopelessness when it involves events

or situations that are beyond one’s

control. It can be especially

debilitating when the stress is recurrent

or sustained over a long period.

3. Stress Addiction. Stress can be

addictive. For some people, stress feels

normal and right. In its absence, these

people feel dissatisfied, bored, or

unable to relax. Such individuals may,

over time, no longer recognize that

they are “stressed.”

Stress-Related Ailments

The art of stress management is to allow stress to be a stimulant, not a lifestyle. When

stress starts getting out of control, stress-related ailments arise:

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Short temper

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Difficulty in concentrating

Insomnia or interrupted sleep cycles (frequent waking)

Fatigue

Irritability

Relationship or sexual problems

Headaches

Upset or burning stomach or diarrhea

Muscle tension, twitching or trembling, or dizziness

Rapid breathing or irregular heart rate

Sweating

Dry mouth or difficulty swallowing

Common Causes of Stress

The top two sources of stress among American adults are work and family. Common

causes of stress include:

Actual danger (body goes into survival mode

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Emotional distress (such as grief or depression)

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Physical stress (such as medical illness or too little sleep)

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Mental stress (overwork and over commitment)

Many other common things can contribute to stress, including:

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Some prescription medications (such as antidepressants, thyroid

medications)

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Some over-the-counter medications (such as cold remedies,

decongestants, appetite suppressants)

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Some herbal supplements and remedies

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Caffeine

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Withdrawal from substances (such as caffeine and nicotine)

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Substance dependence (including alcohol)

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Poor diet (such as deficiency of vitamin B12)

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Thyroid problems (particularly hyperthyroidism)

Low blood sugar

Five Stress Reduction Techniques

Three in five adult Americans say stress has slowed them down and affected their social,

family, work, and community activities. So, what’s the good news? Just as there are

many causes and symptoms of stress, there are a lot of techniques, activities, and lifestyle

changes that can help reduce stress. Here are a few