Elements of Stress

Stress is a state of tension created when a person responds to the demands and pressures that come from changes in daily life. Because of this, stress consists of many elements: its causes, effects, and ways in which to cope with it. Therefore, stress has significant impact on people. Stress isn't a condition that just came out of the blue, like everything else in life; it was caused by something. There are four major causes of stress, each of which have their own distinct characteristics and individuality.

1. Physical appearance and general well being is one of the four major causes that everyone has experienced at one time or another. For the most part, adolescents and older women experience more physical stress related causes than others do. This is because of extreme hormonal changes such as, puberty, menopause, etc. Puberty in adolescents also causes increasing concerns about weight and perfection in beauty. (Whittlesey, pp. 19) A model is one person who exhibits a lot of stress because of the need to strive to be thin and beautiful. This is not to say that different age groups don't also experience this.

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2. The second major cause is social situations and interpersonal relationships. For the most part, this category applies to everyone. Peer groups are one of, if not the most, frequent stressors around. These groups influence opinions, judgements, and other pressures to an individual. Therefore causing an increasing level of unwanted stress. Peer pressuring one another to do drugs is a prime example of peer groups in relationship to stress. Sexual relationships are another stress causing agent. Sexual relations cause tensions and sexual frustration, which can cause stress. In younger adults, these stressors can be greater because of frequent question about sex and other s prying into the personal sexual matters. For instance the gossip of whom slept with who and so on is because of added tensions and frustration. An uneven balance between the two partners increases stress.
3. School is another major cause of stress. (Mendelson, pp. 29-37) This is another stress that everyone will eventually have if they have not already experienced it. As for school, competition, usually within grades, is a major concern. Competition brings a person down from their original state of being. Students can get so infatuated with academic competition that they result in the slipping of grades. With older students, SAT's, ACT's and other college entrance exams can usually cause stress levels to rise. (McCoy, pp. 104-107) The greatest stressing agent in the school environment is from that of the teacher. (Joy, pp. 84) Teachers create undue place frustration, aggression, and confusion on their students. Some teachers have no compassion for their students work load and schedules. Most students have notably full schedules, whether it is schoolwork, sports or other extracurricular activities. These feelings are not the only things that teacher create. The responsibilities and expectations the teachers put on their students add to the amounts of stress from school. No wonder school is one of the major stressors in a person's life.
4. The last stress factor is family relationships. The most prevalent form of stress in the home is that created by divorce or remarriage. Although this form is newer, it involves a great deal of the population. In the Untied States, 45% of all children during 1983 and 1984 have experienced the divorce of their parents and will spend some of their growing-up years in a single-parent home. " (Joseph Alper pp. ) Pain, suffering and tension are feelings brought on by the separation or remarriage of one"s parents. Divorce is not the only type of family stress; death or serious illness of a family member can contribute to the formation of stress. Responsibilities at home also can create stress. The daily hassles of chores and responsibilities all add up to stress. Stress therefore can be found in many of our daily activities and problems. Sir Isaac Newton was correct in saying the statement, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," because it applies to everything, especially stress.

Stress, as an action, creates two common types of reactions. The first effects are emotional effects. Anxiety if the most well known of the emotional effects of stress. "The feelings of uneasiness or apprehensiveness experienced by anticipation of a threatening situation" is known anxiety. (Mendelson, pp. 43) Butterflies before taking a major test or nerves when one is flying on an airplane for the first time are two principal examples of anxiety. Depression is another well-known emotional effect of stress. Low self-esteem or something-tragic happening in someone's life can construct depression. Not only does stress cause that, but it also creates mental illnesses. These can range from mental confusion to serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and possibly even suicide. Emotional effects are not the only stress-related effects.

As referred to in the preceding paragraph, the second type of effects of stress is physical. In recent studies it was stated the "two-thirds of all visits to a physician are from stress related illness. " (About Stress Less: Stress Facts, pp. 1) The most frequent illness seen is that of a headache. Headaches can because by many things, but stress is at the top of the list. One illness is not as frequently seen as the daily headache, is insomnia. Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is another good example of a stress-related disease. About 5 out of every 10 Americans suffer from stress-related hypertension. In relation to hypertension is Coronary Heart Disease. This illness is another one that is quite familiar with the American public. Not only are there stress-related diseases, but there also stress aggravated diseases. Diabetes is one of these diseases. Another stress aggravated diseases is psoriasis. This disease seems to "flare" when a person aggravated or "stressed out". One more major stress aggravated disease is alcoholism. Some if not all of these physical effects can lead to dismal fate. "More than half of all US deaths between the ages 1 and 65 result from stress-related lifestyles. " (About Stress Less: Stress Facts, pp. 1) "42. 6% of adults 18= years old experienced adverse health effects from stress. " (About Stress Less: Stress Facts, pp. 1)

Stress can be a cause or an effect, but anything of either nature needs to be coped with. Just like the effects, there are two different types of ways to cope with stress. Healthy stress management is one of two ways to deal with stress.

• The art of breathing is a good start when discussing stress management, because it helps to control anxiety. Singing is one immense type of breathing technique. Music ties right in with singing. Not only are both relaxing, but you can practice both without even relaxing it.
• Mediation is also another peaceful, relaxing why to cope with stress. An example of this is yoga. Just like mediation, exercise is also excellent for stress reduction. You can burn the fat, and relieve daily tension all at once. Along with exercise is a healthy diet. The right foods can improve your physical, mental, and emotional state of well being all at one time.
• The most important way to cope with stress is having friends. Friends are there to make you laugh and cheer you up (more ways to cope). If you need to talk about a problem, they are always there. And you can tell them anything.

There are many healthy ways to cope with stress, which are not all listed above. Therefore there is a variety for each individual to choose from. Stress can be coped with in many was both positive and negative. The second way to cope with stress is unhealthy stress management.

• Overeating is one of these ways to deal with stress. If one chooses overeating as their outlet they will probably generate more stress for themselves because of low self-esteem or obesity.
• Unsatisfying sexual relationships with many lovers is another way to cope with stress. This choice can lead to low-esteem, possible STDs, and maybe even unwanted pregnancy.
• The most popular unhealthy stress management is drug use. Not only illegal, such as smoking and drinking, but also legal use, like tranquilizers. Choosing drug use can lead to drug abuse and other harsh consequences.

So, there are both unhealthy, as well as healthy outlets to cope with stress.

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