Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense. An intense stress situation for an individual may prove to be a gentle one for another, for yet another person the situation might not be eligible as a stress factor at all.
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A stress condition can be real or apparent. Yet, our brain reacts the same way to both conditions by releasing stress hormones equal to the degree of stress felt. It is said that life acts and you react. Our attitude is our reaction to what life hands out to us. A major amount of stress can be avoided or aroused by the way we relate to stressors. Stress is created by what we think rather than by what has actually happened.
Major life events such as a divorce, death, midlife crisis, financial worries, persistent strain of caring for a chronically sick child, nagging health problems or managing a physically or mentally challenged family member can act as potential stressors. Children and women subjected to mental or physical abuses are known to suffer from incredible stress symptoms of depression, constant anxiety and burn out. Though anger, fear and other negative emotional reactions are natural a d necessary we need to channel them constructively to create a reasonable state in our body and mind.
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Children of stressed out parents are likely to be ill equipped to handle stressors positively. They may suffer from emotional disturbances, depression, aggressive behavior or confusion besides chances of weak physical constitutions, which again can be a source of anxiety. Stress, either quick or constant, can induce risky body-mind disorders. Immediate disorders such as dizzy spells, anxiety attacks, tension, sleeplessness, nervousness and muscle cramps can all result in chronic health problems. They may also affect our immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems and lead individuals to habitual addictions, which are inter-linked with stress.
It is important to recognize whether you are under stress or out of it. Many times, even if we are under the influence of a stressful condition and our body reacts to it internally as well as externally, we fail to realize that we are reacting under stress. A sense of humor also allows us to perceive and appreciate the incongruities of life and provides moments of delight. The emotions we experience directly affect our immune system. The positive emotions can create neuro-chemical changes that buffer the immune-suppressive effects of stress.