HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT HEALTH

One in 3 Americans is living with extreme stress in their daily life's. More concerning is that many people belief that the level of stress in their life has increased over the past year.

So How Does Stress Affect Health?.....

The impact of stress on health is tremendous. It is a major factor of many health problems we suffer from. Stress is also a major contributor in personal relationships. Work-related stress today is one of the biggest causes  of lost working days. Recent studies have indicated that between 50% and 60% of all lost working days are related to stress.

Governments worldwide  equate the cost of lost productivity at work as a result of stress as billions of dollars annually. In the UK it is estimated that each case of work-related stress, depression or anxiety related ill health leads to on average of 32 working days being lost.

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

We are all living busier lives these days and seem to have little spare time. With most of our time seemingly spent at work.

Speak to anyone in the workplace and the common theme is that employers expect more and more from the work force.

Stress at workplace can be the result of feeling you have little control over your work. That the management are making unsuitable demands of the workforce. Often those suffering with work related stress belief that they are getting little support from their colleagues and management.

Modest stress gets the work done, when for instance meeting  a deadline. But when stress is protracted over longer periods of time it can become a risk to the persons health.

List of Symptoms

1.0 Behavioral Reactions

A number of behavioral reactions may be evident such as abuse use of drugs and tobacco. An increased reliance on alcohol leading to intoxication.

2.0 Cognitive Reactions

Sufferers may have varying levels of difficulty in remembering things, concentrating, making decisions and learning new things.

3.0 Emotional Reactions

Emotional reactions can be increased irritability and anxiety. An onset of sleeping problems, resulting in poor time keeping. Becoming depressed and uncommunicative. Another reaction maybe to suffer from hypochondria, resulting in increased absenteeism. In extreme cases in can result in the breakdown of family relationships. Even worse the result may be burnout where the sufferer is enable to function and recovery can be prolonged. 

4.0 Physiological Reactions

Some of the physiological reactions can be evident as back problems, weakened immunity systems, peptic ulcers, heart problems and hypertension.

The medical profession is witnessing increased incidence of stress related conditions. Many of which are related to an unhealthy  lifestyle, as many seek relief from their stress by over eating and drinking alcohol. This strategy may reduce stress in the short term, but could increase the of cardiovascular disease.

Russ Newman, Ph. d., J.D., American Psychological Association (APA) executive director for professional practice says....

 "Achieving a healthy lifestyle comes from adopting behaviors over time that help to manage stress in effective ways that don't at the same time take a toll on your physical health and body".

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