So you're stress? Don't worry. Stress is a natural part of life. In physics, stress is a force that acts on a specific object and causes deformation or strain. In its application to health and wellness, stress is seen as a force that causes mental, emotional, physical or spiritual strain. Endocrinologist Hans Selye claimed that stress has a significant effect on living organisms. He also described the different type of stress as well as the range of reactions to it. He is the first one to determine on how stress affects us whether it is good, bad, positive or negative. Dr.Selye defined eustress (you-stress) as healthy stress that gives one a feeling of fulfillment and enjoyment or enhances physical and mental functions in some way.
Eustress includes the strength training, challenging work, getting married, riding a roller coaster and experiencing holidays. It includes the positive, healthy gains such as increasing enjoyment and capacity for life, making meaningful connections with yourself and others. Distress on the other hand is a persistent stress that goes beyond our ability to respond. The word originated from Latin districtus which is meaning "divided in mind." It cannot be resolved through coping or adapting. As it is chronic and unresolved stress which can lead to anxiety, withdrawal and many other physical and emotional problems.Examples include the repeated challenges at work, at home or in relationships. It is important to note the both types of stress as it can affect the mind, body and spirit.
The social readjustment rating scale has been developed by scientist Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. The scale lists out the stressful life events and gives them a numerical score. They showed the higher scores predict a greater chance that stress will lead to disease. The scales includes the examples of positive eustress as well as negative distress. The scales shows stress levels significantly which is increase with multiple events happening at the same time and demonstrates that mind, body and spirit do not differentiate between positve and negative stress. Now count how much stress do you have.
Score of 300+ : At risk of illness
Score of 150 - 299+ : Risk of illness is moderate
Score of 150 or less : Slight risk of illness
Live event Life change units
- death of spouse 100
- divorce 73
- marital separation 65
- imprisonment 63
- death of a close family member 63
- personal injury or illness 53
- marriage 50
- dismissal from work 47
- marital reconciliation 45
- retirement 45
- change in health of family member 44
- pregnancy 40
- sexual difficulties 39
- gain in a new family member 39
- business readjustment 39
- change in financial state 38
- death of a close friend 37
- change to different line of work 36
- change in frequency of arguments 35
- major mortage 32
- loan 30
- change of responsibilities at work 29
- child leaving home 29
- trouble with in-laws 29
- outstanding personal achievement 28
- spouse starts n stops work 26
- begin or end school 26
- change in living conditions 25
- revision of personal habits 24
- trouble with boss 23
- change in working hours n conditions 20
- change in residence 20
- change in schools 20
- change in recreation 19
- change in church activities 19
- change in social activities 18
- minor mortage or loan 17
- change in sleeping habits 16
- change in number of family reunions 15
- change in eating habits 15
- vacation 13
- christmas 12
- minor violation of law 11
Further scientific studies began to define exactly how stress causes illness. A new discipine called psychoneuroimmunology emerged as data poured in that showed that mind and body interact with measurable ways. For examples, the immune system functions poorly after periods of severe stress. As the name of field implies, the mind, nervous system, and immune system are interrelated. This field also produced data revelaing that the mind and the body are actually one unit, and the mind is not only located in the brain. Some receptors in the brain allow the nerves to perform certain actions are also present in immune system cells and even in the lining of the gut. This discovery gives scientific meaning to our intuitive "gut feelings." The gut actually feels and thinks in ways similar to the brain.
Most of us would agree that chronic, unrelenting stress can lead to distress or bad stress. This can lead to continued unaddressed imbalances, which can then lead to illness and disease. Therefore we know that:
- stress is a natural and often beneficial part of life
- making positive health changes is stressful at first
- our reactions to stressful events play an important role in how they affect us
Questions to ponder:
- how much stress is too much for you
- how can you adapt to change and stressful events, using eustress to help you grow, while reducing the chronic distress that leads to illness?
- how do you keep a healthy balance?
Reference
Weil. A., Mumber. M & Reed. H., 2012. 8 Steps to Lasting Health & Wellness: An integrative Approach to Improve your Health, Manage your Stress and begin again. Advantage Quest Publications.
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