Stress is a condition we can all relate to in an everyday sense. There is stress all around us, in the work place, at home and in emotional contexts. Stress, in all of these contexts, does not serve our bodies well. What do you know about the effects of stress on the body? Stressful situations usually have negative effects on our general health and bear a closer look.

Stress can take on many faces, with varying causes and resolutions. Much of the effects of stress on the body depend on your personality and emotions. While Joe may be able to deal with stress efficiently, you may find your threshold considerably lower. Where Joe thrives, you may be reduced to a bundle of nerves, unable to process information or think clearly. While Joe's calm personality can take an important deadline in stride, focusing clearly on the goal, others not so gifted may be overwhelmed by perceived demands they feel they are unable to meet.

Unfortunately, the physical effects of stress on the body can be enormously detrimental to our physical and emotional health. The effects of stress on the body can be subtle, but over the long run they are deadly. The long-term effects of stress on the body can be even more alarming. Although it has taken science a long time to acknowledge this fact, stress shortens our lives. The effects of stress on the body are tremendous. Increased risk of heart disease, nervous breakdowns, stomach ulcers, tension headaches, and an increased susceptibility to infection are just a few of the things that stress can do to us.. There's not a single effect of stress on the body that is not detrimental. Although in the short run, stress can be a good thing – giving us the ability to react to the situation quickly and resolve it as immediately as possible – in the long run, it is always a bad thing. Yet many of us live with stress day in and day out for years at a time.

The short-term effects of stress on the human body are well known. When we are under stress, we have increased heart rate, thoughts that race, tense muscles, and adrenaline rushes. With extreme stress, we can get agitated and have a hard time sitting still. Stress is basically the human bodies fight or flight mechanism kicking in. The effects of stress on the mind are similarly well-known. We can get paranoid, frightened, aggressive, or hyperactive. It varies considerably from person to person, but it is quite easy to tell when you or someone you know is under an immediate stress. Then again, the long-term effects are much more subtle.

Stress can most certainly affect our behavior, leading to disadvantages in a social context, as well as negative lifestyle behaviors, such as over-eating, smoking and drinking excessively. Others may manifest effects of stress on the body in less obvious ways.

Although emotionally drained, over-stressed people may become obsessed with their work in an attempt to eradicate the source of their stress. Such people often spend undue amounts of time worrying, skipping meals and exercise, all in the hopes of eradicating the source of pressure. In fact, these strategies are counter productive to Stress Management Generally, people who employ such strategies are only worsening the situation. If you focus your energies on meeting that deadline or else, to the exclusion of eating or sleeping, the end result is seen in the eventual physical effects of stress on the body.

Stress most commonly manifests in disease of the heart. This link is well known to your physician. High blood pressure and a high standing pulse rate are indicative of stress. The sheer tension of stress can damage arteries, while reducing healthy blood and oxygen flow. Your body attempts to heal the damaged arteries, forming scars and thickened artery walls. All of these factors can eventually lead to heart attack.

Another of the negative effects of stress on the body is marked depletion of immune system function, which results in frequent colds and flus. More serious effects of stress on the body include exacerbated arthritis, irritable bowel, ulcers and headaches. Studies conducted as early as the 1950's showed a link between cancer and stress.

There are medications that can help us deal with stress, but none of these really provide a solution. The only way to cope with the effects of stress on the body is to get some help. Help can come in the form of therapy, meditation, counseling, or massages. Basically, anything that relaxes you and that you do regularly is an effective antidote to stress. The effects of stress on the body, however, may ultimately require you to change your lifestyle. You may have to work less, spend more time doing things that you enjoy, and generally learn to relax. This is not such a bad thing! In the process of fighting the effects of stress on the mind and body, you will also learn to enjoy your life. What else is life for, after all?

With all of these dire consequences of the effects of stress on the body, we'd all do well to focus on positive changes in diet and lifestyle to eliminate undue stress. Listening to music, exercise and a more laid back perspective are keys to good health.

By: Cristina P.
Stress Management.

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What is a Type A Personality?

The term ‘Type A Personality’ is a commonly used term these days, but exactly what is it? The Type A Personality was identified by Friedman and Rosenman in 1974. Essentially it is a particular set of traits or characteristics held by a person that lead to certain behaviours. Such behaviours may have particular consequences for the individual. Type A traits can essentially be divided into impatience, aggression and competitiveness. Within each we see particular displays of behaviour.

Impatient

Being impatient means the Type A will get irritated by delays and people they consider incompetent. They will demand people to hurry up. They are unable to relax and to take time out and sit quietly doing nothing. Everything is a rush to the Type A, no matter what it is. As such, they are adept at multitasking.

Aggression

The Type A Personality is prone to anger. They will become hostile to people who do not meet their high expectations.

Competitiveness

Winning is all important and the Type A will compete no matter who it is against. Recognition and advancement is very important and they will push themselves to their limits to try and achieve as much as possible, as quickly as possible. However, the Type A may feel unfulfilled as they constantly want to achieve more and more and sometimes their goals may not be realistic. Although they may appear confident, the Type A may suffer from self-doubt.

Risks associated with a Type A Personality

Given the very nature of the Type A Personality it is somewhat not surprising that it has associated health risks. Studies suggest that coronary heart disease, blood clots and high cholesterol are health risks to people with a Type A Personality. It is possible that they are also more likely to suffer a heart attack. Some research has suggested however the only risk is for those people who display anger and hostility. The demands the Type A Personality means they will be susceptible to greater stress and as such will be at risk of the associated problems.

Identifying if you are a Type A

Have a look at the above description of the behaviours associated with a Type A Personality. Do you recognise these behaviours within yourself? It is possible to reduce or change behaviours associated with a Type A Personality.

Tips

If you are concerned about Type A characteristics that you are displaying and not happy with who you are, have a look at the following tips to help balance your life.


Learn to manage your anger.
Learn to resolve conflict effectively.
Learn stress management skills.
Take time to reflect.
Slow down.
Listen to others.
Redefine your definition of success.
Consider making lifestyle changes (e.g. work, exercise, diet).
Set yourself realistic goals to help gain a sense of achievement.

Copyright Julia Barnard 2007

By: Julia Barnard
Julia Barnard is a professional counsellor living in Adelaide, Australia. She provides an online counselling service through her website http://www.makethechange.com.au. Julia also writes articles for the website aimed at enhancing well-being and promoting good mental health.

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Millions of people use alternative therapies to treat their troubles. They continue to use it because it works for them. Western medication works, so why not alternative treatments. Some have been around for thousands of years.

People who don't know what it's like to have an anxiety disorder often give meaningless advice such as "snap out of it" or "you'd better pull up your socks somehow".

This is not only hurtful, but it can make the person feel resentful and angry. There is nothing more they would like to do than to snap out of it or pull their socks up.

However, it's not easy and generally, it can't be done without treatment. If it's not treated, it can carry on for months, possibly even years.

There Are Many Beneficial Alternative Therapies
Anxiety and depression alternative therapies can be very helpful for a lot of people, which is one reason why they carry on with it. It is also generally more affordable and the side effects tend to be less.

Other alternative therapies include hypnosis, yoga, exercise, acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy and imaging. Hypnosis is definitely worth exploring.

Don't discount Chinese medicine. Also, you may want to consider Ayurvedic medicine as well.

Though there are many more, yoga might also be very beneficial. It is great exercise and also targets your breathing.

If you suffer from anxiety and/or depression, your doctor will most likely prescribe antidepressants. Antidepressants are effective in reducing the problems of anxiety disorders.

Antidepressants target serotonin, however, even your diet can do this. For example, niacin can influence serotonin. Foods that contain niacin include:

- chicken
- beef
- dates
- carrots
- legumes
- mushrooms

St. John's wort is a popular product that helps to calm the nervous system. It also helps to increase serotonin and another neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is important for the proper function of the central nervous system.

Always Consult A Qualified Medical Professional
However, ALWAYS SEEK PROPER MEDICAL HELP FIRST! For example, St. John's wort should NEVER be used with ANY antidepressant. This is why you should speak to a doctor first. St. John's wort is more recognized as a depression treatment.

Never take anything without consulting your doctor first. If you're on drug therapy, it's more important to work closely with your doctor. Some people don't like drugs and use alternative methods.

It's generally safe as they don't have to worry about adverse reactions, since they're not taking any drugs. If you do wish to take an alternative route, always make sure you are seeing a qualified professional.

If you don't like taking drugs for anxiety and depression alternative therapies could be something you may want to look into. In the long run, these may even be better for you.

By: Giri Anantha
http://www.panic-and-agoraphobia.com/an ... apies.html.

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Worrying can make you physically anxious for example, increase in heart rate, butterflies and feeling tense. When people experience the physical symptoms of anxiety, this usually leads to more worrying about the symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

There are lots of practical steps you can take to combat your worrying and to break the vicious cycle. These are techniques that I share with my clients at my NLP and Hypnotherapy practice in Hertfordshire.

Identify and clarify the worrying thought: Often worrying thoughts are experienced as several fleeting ideas and images that race through your mind. Spending the time writing down exactly what it is that is worrying you brings the thought out into the open. This in itself can show the worrying thought up as being less scary then when it was just in your head. Sometimes these thoughts are so automatic and quick that I will spend time at my NLP and Hypnotherapy practice, Hertfordshire helping clients identify worrying thoughts.

Explore what the worse thing that could happen would be if the thought was true: Often you will find that it is much easier to cope with a clearly defined worst outcome, then the product of your imagination, which is usually fantasy based and much worse!

Look at the thought logically: This involves examining the objective evidence of whether the thought is true. Create two columns on a piece of paper and on one list evidence to support the thought and under the other list evidence that disputes the thought. This is a process that is used at Hypnotherapy, Hertfordshire. The therapist works with the client to elicit the evidence, using a series of questions designed to help the person broaden their view of the situation.

Another point of view: Try looking at the worry from another perspective. For example, what would you advise a loved one who was concerned over the same thought. Also think about other times in your life when you would feel different about the worry.

What are the benefits or losses of holding onto this thought: Look at whether holding onto your worrying thought helps or hinders you.

Over-generalising: Are you viewing the situation/self in all or nothing terms e.g. complete disaster------- totally perfect ? Actually rate your thought out of 100% to remind yourself that your worry is probably somewhere other then complete disaster on a sliding scale.

Take Action: Rather then passively worrying which does not benefit you, look at whether there is anything you can do about the situation. Make a list of action steps that you can take.

Free time: If you are always worrying then become stricter with yourself and how you spend your time. Dedicate a set time to worrying, ensuring that within your time you set goals for action or work on your worry by going through all the steps to combat worrying already discussed. Then set dedicated time each day for relaxing - time where you will practice distracting your thoughts from worrying. Becoming proficient at a good body relaxation technique can be really useful.

By: Karen Hastings, Herts
Karen Hastings is a NHS experienced mental health occupational therapist, Master NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist. Karen uses hypnotherapy in Hertfordshire, along with cognitive therapy approaches. For more information about Hypnotherapy, Herts visit http://www.karenhastings.co.uk.

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There is an old saying, "laughter is the best medicine". Why not treat yourself to some laughter? Visit our jokes index and relax with some jokes, humor and humerous anecdotes.