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Stress: Emphasizing the Positive
 The
Chinese symbol for "stress" combines the symbol for "risk"
with the symbol for "opportunity." Stress affects everyone
physically, emotionally and mentally in positive and/or negative ways.
Although often only the negative results of stress are recognized,
management techniques emphasize the ability to live with stress in
a positive and productive way.
Stress management is not just strategies or coping resources. It is
also an attitude or philosophy of life. An important first step in
management is recognizing the stressors, or causes of stress. Stressors
are generally personal in nature and may vary widely among individuals.
Positive stressors include major life changes such as a wedding, the
birth of a child or buying a new home. Negative stressors may include
loss of a job or death of a parent. Stressors that are more personal
in nature and affect people to varying degrees include other people's
expectations, loss of self, envy, unfinished business and holding
on to loss.
The physiological effects of stress are designed to increase the
chances of survival in cases of physical emergencies. Changes such
as increases in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle
strength prepare the body for vigorous, muscular activity. After
the stress is relieved, the body returns to normal. If the stress
continues over time, the physiological changes can result in unhealthy
changes such as headaches, fatigue and elevated blood pressure.
Stress management strategies include self-awareness, behavior change
and relaxation skills. The Managing Unhealthy Stress Goal Team of
the Partnership for Community Health has published a brochure, Thought
Stopping: A Tool to Manage Unhealthy Stress, describing one strategy
in detail. To receive a copy of this pamphlet, please send an email
to healthdept@co.bergen.nj.us,
call (201) 634-2704, or fax us at (201) 986-1068. Be sure to include
your name, address and name of the brochure.
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