Stress Reduction : What Can I do to help myself?

The word “stress” is used to describe the feelings and symptoms that people experience when the demands made on them are greater than their ability to cope. Stress has a variety of manifestations, ranging from physical to psychological and behavioral, and people may experience these to varying degrees. Modern life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands. For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life. Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best, take athletes for example. But when you’re constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price. You can protect yourself by recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.

The Body’s Stress Response

Our body responds to stress when it perceives a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action.

Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus—preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.

This great video explains how a couple of simple steps can help you to better manage stress.