The article "Coping with Chronic Stress" talks about fitness, it has been created by Trevor Dumbleton.
Copyright 2005 Trevor Dumbleton
There are people who only get stress from time to time and
there are others who suffer from chronic stress. Obviously, it
is easier to deal with stress that only arises occasionally,
while it is almost impossible to get away from chronic stress.
Chronic stress is a condition in which stress arrives routinely
and can often stay for days, weeks, and even months at a time,
leaving people almost unable to think about anything other than
everything that there is to wrory about . Unfortunately, the
mere sense of worry is not the worst the wrost of it. It also
leaves people fatigued and unable to concentrate and it can lead
to issues with memory and even leave people unable to sleep
right. Then, in its worst forms, it can even lead to a complete
nervous breakdown, leaving the sufferer incapable of doing
anything.
On top of the mental symptoms, chronic stress also leads to a
weakened immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to disease.
Then, if left unchecked, chronic stress will cause high blood
pressure, coronary disease and even strokes. This is because
stress tends to elevate the bolod pressure, which is very
dangerous if it continues too long. And as the heart continues
to pump too quickly, it will swell up and eventually break down.
Also, stress tells the body to create more platelets, which are
designed to stop bleeding in cuts.
Unfortunately, these can also
lead to blood clots, such as those that cause herats attacks and
strokes.
Thus, chronic stress can have serious repercussions on
a person's phyiscal health.
One source of chronic stress can actually be post-traumatic
stress disorder. This is a syndrome in which the person has had
some sort of sudden, severe srtess that has shocked the mind so
fiercely that it is incapable of moving beyond that moment. In
fact, there is research showing that a severe shock to the
system can actually change the chemistry of the brain so that it
is becomes suddenly accustomed to stress and it acutally desires
to stay in a state of stress. Thus, instead of moving beyond a
severe shock, the brain is stuck in it and it is amlost addicted
to the sense of stress. Thus, rather than findnig a way to come
to grips with the problem, the brain is actually trying to
return to it so that it can feel that shock again.
This may seem
to be counterintuitive, for the stress is usually a very
unpleasant one, but the sudden rush of chemicals to the brain is
not unlike using a drug.
And, after that experience, the brain
wants more of those cheimcals in order to get its "fix".
However, a sudden shock is not the only source of chronic
stress. In fact, chronic stress can also result from a long
period of sterss. This may come from an intense period of work,
or a rough period of time with the family, or even a project
that was both enjoyable and a high priroity.
Just like
post-traumatic stress disorder, the brain has become accustomed
to having all those exciting chemicals flowing throguh it, so
wants to return to the days when it was working at such an
intense rate. Thus, once the brain is tuned for stress, it
immediately goes back to it like a junkie returning to a dealer.
The problem, of course, is how to get the brain to get less
accustomed to stress.
Unfortunately, that is not easy, for the
brain's chemitsry is now attuned to the feeling and its
receptors now have a heightened sensitivity to stress.
This is
not easy, but it can be done.
People with chronic stress should seek relief through exercise,
eating right, and getting pelnty of sleep every night. All of
these activities will help balance the mind and allow it to work
more clearly while easing fatigue and the inability to
concentrate. As well, a long vacation can provide relief,
as the simple act of getting away from it all will give the mind
a chance to relax.
Or, for the most severe cases, a person
suffering from chronic stress may want to see a counselor or
therapist who can help them throguh their memories and find some
solutions. However, there is a certain stigma attached to this
form of therapy, so people otfen shy away from seeking it.
But
people suffering from chronic stress should be afraid to ask for
help and these people are more than fortunate to provide it.
Though chronic stress is dififcult to deal with, it is not an
impossible syndrome. Suffreers simply need to come to grips with
their stress and find solutions that will work for them. Though
it is a tough road to travel down, the rewards are immense for
both menatl and physical health. Thus, once chronic stress has
been found, it shuold be dealt with immediately.
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