We hear a lot of people talking about stress these days, but what exactly do they mean? In all likelihood, each person has a different perception and a different answer to the question, “What is stress?”  In an effort to better understand stress and what it means to your well-being, read the  explanation below.

What Is Stress?

Stress is a feeling that occurs when we react to particular events. It’s the body’s natural way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.

The events that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a whole range of situations - everything from outright physical danger to making a class presentation or taking a semester’s worth of your toughest subject.

The human body responds to stressors by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol and release them into the bloodstream. These hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. Blood vessels open wider to let more blood flow to large muscle groups, putting our muscles on alert. Pupils dilate to improve vision. The liver releases some of its stored glucose to increase the body’s energy. And sweat is produced to cool the body. All of these physical changes prepare a person to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment.

This natural reaction is known as the stress response. Working properly, the body’s stress response enhances a person’s ability to perform well under pressure. But the stress response can also cause problems when it overreacts or fails to turn off and reset itself properly.
Good Stress and Bad Stress

The stress response (also called the fight or flight response) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure’s on but there’s no actual danger - like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. A little of this stress can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge. And the nervous system quickly returns to its normal state, standing by to respond again when needed.

But stress doesn’t always happen in response to things that are immediate or that are over quickly. Ongoing or long-term events, like coping with a divorce or moving to a new neighborhood or school, can cause stress, too.

Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that’s hard on people. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly activated and continue to pump out extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body’s reserves, leave a person feeling depleted or overwhelmed, weaken the body’s immune system, and cause other problems.

The National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has proven that chamomile, long used as a folk remedy for anxiety, stress and tension, is a statistically effective treatment.

*The text below is from their website:


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Study Shows Chamomile Capsules Ease Anxiety Symptoms Chamomile

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a wide array of psychological and physical symptoms. Although prescription drugs can help, they often have undesirable side effects. Many people experiencing symptoms of anxiety do not seek medical attention, turning instead to alternatives. One traditional remedy in widespread use is the herb chamomile. However, scientific evidence to support the use of chamomile for anxiety has been lacking.

NCCAM-funded researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the effects of chamomile extract in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate GAD. For 8 weeks, the 57 participants received either chamomile capsules containing 220 mg of pharmaceutical-grade extract from Matricaria recutita (German chamomile), standardized to 1.2 percent of the constituent apigenin; or chamomile-scented placebo capsules containing lactose. The initial dose of one capsule daily was increased to two capsules daily at week 2; dosages were then adjusted incrementally (up to five capsules) in some participants. Researchers used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) and other tests to measure changes in anxiety symptoms over the course of the study; dosage adjustments were based on HAM-A scores.

Compared with placebo, chamomile was associated with a greater reduction in mean HAM-A scores-the study’s primary outcome measure. The difference was clinically meaningful and statistically significant. Chamomile also compared favorably with placebo on other outcome measures (although the differences were not statistically significant), and was well tolerated by participants.

These results suggest that chamomile may have modest benefits for some people with mild to moderate GAD. As this was the first controlled trial of chamomile extract for anxiety, the researchers note that additional studies using larger samples and studying effects for longer periods of time would be helpful. They also point out that other chamomile species, preparations (e.g., extracts standardized to constituents other than apigenin), and formulations (e.g., oil or tea) might produce different results.
Reference

* Amsterdam JD, Yimei L, Soeller I, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2009 Aug;29(4):378-382.

Have a forgiving view of events and people.

Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

Have an optimistic view of the world.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Learn NEVER to say or do that which will not improve the situation.

Forget about counting to 10.

Count to 1,000 before doing something or saying anything that could make matters worse.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Take a lunch break.

Get away from your desk or work area in body and mind, even if it’s just for 15 or 20 minutes.

Your health and productivity will improve.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

And then allow them to do the job that you know they are capable of doing.

Let it go!

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with, then the rest of your day will be free of anxiety.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Mental Health America launched a new, interactive website called Live Your Life Well, where you’ll find tools to live a more balanced, healthy life, information about stress and wellness, personal success stories, a gratitude stream and much, much more.

Go to Live Your Life Well and see for yourself. Chances are, you’ll find lots of information to help you live a more healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Allow yourself time - everyday - for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing only that project. Forget about everything else you have to do. Live, BE, in the moment.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.