Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any demand placed on it. Stress can create feelings of conflict and/or anxiety within an individual. Stress can stem from demands people place on themselves or from external situations.

Some stress is easily identified, such as increased financial responsibilities; while other stress, such as feeling that you must earn peer acceptance, may go undetected. If stress is not identified and resolved, it can progressively deteriorate the bodies ability to function.

Except for major catastrophes, few events are stressful in themselves. Stress arises when you perceive a situation as threatening. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy listening to music while they drive.

Job stress can take different forms and affects your body in various ways, it can affect your health and home life as well. Low levels of stress may not be noticeable; moderate levels can create a positive challenge for you that require ingenious solutions but high levels can be harmful, contributing to chronic disease. The major sources of job stress fall into seven categories:

Control. This factor is the most closely related to job stress. Studies indicate that workers who believe that they have a high levels of responsibility but little control or decision-making power in their positions are at increased risk of stress-related illnesses.

Competence. Workers who become concerned, insecure or uncertain of their ability to perform the positions required tasks can be a major source of stress for many people.

Clarity. Feeling uncertain about the tasks that are expected of you or your companies goals and objectives can lead to stress.

Communication. Poor communication can lead to workplace tension, increasing job stress. In addition, an inability to express your concerns or frustrations can also create stress for you.

Support. Feeling like you are without the support of your coworkers can create emotional barriers in the way of effectively resolving problems and cause you stress.

Significance. If you feel you position is meaningless or don't take pride in it, you may find it stressful.

Increased responsibilities. Taking on additional responsibility or unrealistic deadlines can also increase your stress levels.

Physical symptoms
Physical symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses, so it is important to have a medical physician treat any other physical disorders that may be present. Remember, however, that the body and mind are not separate entities. The physical problems outlined below may result from or be exacerbated by stress:

Sleep disturbances
Back, shoulder or neck pain
Tension or migraine headaches
Upset or acid stomach, cramps, heartburn, gas, irritable bowel syndrome
Constipation, diarrhea
Weight gain or loss, eating disorders
Hair loss
Muscle tension
Fatigue
High blood pressure
Irregular heartbeat, palpitations
Asthma or shortness of breath
Chest pain
Sweaty palms or hands
Cold hands or feet
Skin problems (hives, eczema, psoriasis, tics, itching)
Periodontal disease, jaw pain
Reproductive problems
Immune system suppression: more colds, flu, infections
Growth inhibition

Emotional Symptoms
Like physical signs, emotional symptoms such as anxiety or depression can mask conditions other than stress. It is important to find out whether they are stress-related or not.

Nervousness, anxiety
Depression, moodiness
Feeling of "butterflies”
Irritability, frustration
Memory problems
Lack of concentration
Trouble thinking clearly
Feeling out of control
Substance abuse
Phobias
Overreactions

Relational Symptoms
The antisocial behavior displayed in stressful situations can cause the rapid deterioration of relationships with family, friends, co-workers, or even strangers. A person under stress may manifest signs such as:

Increased arguments
Isolation from social activities
Conflict with co-workers or employers
Frequent job changes
Road rage
Domestic or workplace violence
Overreactions

Severe stress reactions that persist for long periods of time and recur without warning after a traumatic event or even after an intense experience such as an accident, hospitalization, or loss, may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Generally, anything that may cause children fear and anxiety can cause stress. This can include being away from home, starting a new school or moving to a new location. It can also result from being separated from parents or worry surrounding school, getting along with others, bodily changes or the future.

The following are some common signs of stress in different age groups.

Preschool age Children

Anger
Anxiety
Eating and sleeping problems, including nightmares
Fear of being alone
Irritability
Regressing to infant behaviors
Trembling with fright
Uncontrollable crying
Withdrawal

Elementary age Children

Being distrustful
Complaining of headaches or stomachaches
Feeling unloved
Having no appetite
Having trouble sleeping
Needing to urinate frequently
Not caring about school or friendship
Acting withdrawn
Worrying about the future

Teenage Children

Anger
Disillusionment
Distrust of the world
Low self-esteem
Stomachaches and headaches
Rebellion

Adults can help children and teens with stress in two significant ways. Firstly by creating a low-stress environment and secondly by helping them to develop positive coping skills, which are often carried into adult life.

You can help develop a low-stress environment by:

Acknowledge your child's feelings.

Developing trust and reassuring your child that mistakes are learning experiences.

Be supportive and praise your child.

Show care, warmth, and love. Hug your child often.

Have clear expectations without being overly rigid; emphasize cooperation over competition.

Find ways to have your children contribute to the family.

Build on the strengths of the family.

Be aware of what your child wants (not just what you want).

 

You can help children develop positive coping skills by:

Providing a good example. Keep calm and control your anger.

Finding a physical activity and/or hobby that they enjoy and encouraging them to participate.

Encouraging them to eat healthy foods and emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Learning and teaching your children relaxation skills.

Encouraging rational thinking. Be sure your children think about consequences of their actions. Help them understand what is fantasy and what is reality. For example they are not failures because they were not selected for the school sports team.

Providing them with some control. Allow your children to make choices within your family framework. For example, allow them to arrange their room, input on family activities and help make family decisions.

Talking openly. When appropriate, talk about your stressful day. Encourage them to talk about what is bothering them.

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with your body internal stress relief mechanisms.

The following lifestyle changes will boost your bodies resilience to stress:

Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
Have a sense of purpose in life.
Get enough sleep, because your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
Limit your consumption of alcohol.
Don't smoke.

Time management skills can allow you to spend more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity which in turn will help reduce your stress levels.

To improve your time management:

Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.

Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.

Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.

Manage your commitments by not over or under committing. Don't commit to what is not important to you.

Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines.

Problem solving helps you overcome complex stressful events by systematically breaking them down into smaller manageable increments.

a) Identify the aspects of a stressful event:

For example, if you have just lost your job, you need to identify:

Behaviors, such as the need to look for another job and earn money for your family.
Negative thoughts, such as "I'll never get another job."
Negative feelings, such as anger and depression.
How your body responds, such as fatigue or difficulty sleeping.
You can then find coping strategies, such as talking with others about your feelings.

b) Brainstorm by:

Thinking of as many solutions as you can.
Not criticizing any solution.
Combining solutions.

c) Evaluate your alternatives and choose the best one.

When rating your solutions, take into account the

Likelihood of being able to carry it out and succeed.
Cost in time and energy.
Effect of the solution on you, your family and other people.

d) Take Action.

Determine the steps you need to take and act today.

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