STRESSED OUT According to the American Psychological Association, fifty-four percent of all Americans are seriously concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives.

WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way. These events or demands are known as stressors.

GOOD AND BAD STRESS Stress can be negative or positive: Positive stress provides a feeling of excitement and opportunity. Positive stress often helps athletes perform better in competition than in practice. Other examples of positive stress include a new job or birth of a child. Negative stress occurs when you feel out of control or under constant or intense pressure. You may have trouble concentrating, or you may feel alone. Family, finances, work, isolation and health problems, including pain, are common causes of negative stress.

TYPES OF STRESS? Acute stress is the most common form of stress in which you know exactly why you’re stressed: you were just in a car accident, a pit bull dog chases you down the street, or you do something scary like a parachute jump. Chronic stress when there are unrelenting demands and pressures for long periods of time. A stress that wears you down day after day and year after year, with no visible escape. It grinds away at both mental and physical health, leading to a breakdown or death. Traumatic stress can result from a catastrophic event or intense experience such as a natural disaster, sexual assault, life threatening accident, or being in combat. Common symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder include flashbacks or nightmares about the trauma, chronic irritability and tension, and depression.

CAUSES OF STRESS Think about what causes you stress. Your stress may be linked to external factors, such as: ● Being bullied or exposed to violence or injury ● Relationship stress, family conflicts, or a broken heart ● Traumatic accident or death of a friend or loved one ● Not having enough time to complete tasks at work ● Just a result of your hectic lifestyle Stress can also come from internal factors, such as: ● Irresponsible behavior ● Poor health habits ● Negative attitudes and feelings ● Unrealistic expectations ● Wanting everything to be perfect

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS Memory problems Difficulty making decisions Unable to concentrate Confusion Seeing only the negative Racing thoughts Poor judgment Loss of objectivity Desire to escape or run away INTELLECTUALEMOTIONAL Moody Restlessness and anxiety Depression Anger and resentment Easily irritated Sense of being overwhelmed Lack of confidence Apathy Urge to laugh or cry or both

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS Headaches Digestive problems Muscle tension and pain Can not sleep Fatigue Chest pain High blood pressure Weight gain or loss Shortness of breath Skin problems Decreased sex drive PHYSICALBEHAVIORAL Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Neglecting your responsibilities Increased alcohol or drug use Nervous habits Teeth grinding or jaw clenching Overdoing activities Losing your temper Overreacting to problems

STRESS MANAGEMENT Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep refreshes your mind and your body. Develop a support system: Share your feelings with a friend, family member, teacher, clergy person or counselor. Talking with someone can help clear your mind of confusion. Exercise regularly: Find minutes a day to walk or do something physical. Being physically fit is very beneficial in reducing stress. Eat a balanced diet: Eating several balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day will give you the energy to think rationally and clearly. Stay away from alcohol and drugs: When you sober up, the problems and stress will still be there. How can I change my lifestyle habits to manage stress better?

STRESS MANAGEMENT Have realistic expectations: Know your limits. Reframe problems: Use positive thinking to see problems as opportunities. Keep your sense of humor: You must be able to laugh at yourself once in awhile. Laughing helps your body fight stress. Express your feelings: Bottling up your emotions will make things worse and increase your anxiety. Don’t try to control events or other people: Many things in life are beyond your control, particularly the behavior of others. Try to manage your time better. Give priority to the most important tasks and do those first. Schedule time for both work and recreation. Ask yourself “Is this my problem?”: If it isn’t, leave it alone. You cannot solve all of the World’s problems. How can I change my thinking to handle stress better?

RELAX THINGS CAN’T BE THAT BAD!! HAVE A GOOD DAY Click on Esc to exit