Stress is a feeling that everyone experiences at one time or the other, and because of the pressures and demands that you feel you are having, you may show some obvious symptoms like losing sleep, eating too much or getting splitting headaches. It happens at all stages of life: for children, adults and especially for teens. You are not the only one who is going through a busy schedule. But if you recognize and identify the problem, it is possible for you to reduce the stress or even avoid it by good stress management.

Definition

When there is a tough situation in life, the body tries to combat it with extra strength, stamina, focus and alertness. Anything can provoke stress like a physical danger to a class presentation, and these events are called stressors. The hormones which are activated can activate certain body systems, like a faster heart beat or a rise in blood pressure. You could start sweating or your pupils could grow larger.

Due to all these factors, you are forced to take a stress response. Hence there is good stress as well as bad stress. In a critical situation, when there is an emergency, the driver slams on the brakes to avoid the accident. A milder form of pressure is good and it enables you to perform better when you are sitting down for a final exam. But stress can be bad too, when the events are long-term and ongoing. This can wear out the body’s reserves of hormones and weaken the body’s immune system.

Overload

Too much of anything is not good, and that holds good for stress too. A little bit of stress for the exam will motivate you to put in more study, but too much of stress may prevent you from concentrating on studying totally. Some things which can be harmful regarding stress overload are like constant exposure to violence, family conflicts, learning disability problems and a crammed schedule with no time to rest and relax.

The signs of stress overload which people experience are evident, when they get anxiety or panic attacks, are moody and easily irritable or get the feeling that they are being pressurized, hassled and hurried all the time. Stress overload can cause physical symptoms like stomach problems, headaches and chest pain. Some take to drinking, smoking, overeating or taking drugs and are just sad and depressed all the time.

Keeping Under Control

It is extremely important to keep stress under control and better still, you should know how you can avoid it. You should learn how to use stress management skills regularly, not only after you experience stress, but understand and avoid it in future. Be practical and realistic, and take help from people who offer to help you. Cut out some of your activities and try and get enough sleep, so that your body is relaxed every morning.

Relaxation is the antidote to stress and you can learn how to relax by learning yoga, or do some things that give you pleasure like taking a walk, visiting a friend or taking a long bath. Take care about what you eat, so that your body remains fit. Your attitude towards life will definitely help you to change your stress level. Add a good dose of optimism to it, and you will start feeling better. You can build your resilience by working on your attitudes and behaviors. In course of time you can adapt to stressful circumstances and tackle any stressful problem that comes your way.