What Is The Meaning Of Stress?

Stress is one of those terms that almost everyone we know has used or experienced from time to time, but what is it?

The biological concept is defined as any challenge, whether physical or psychological, that requires your body to adapt in a seemingly healthy manner.

Some stress is normal and even useful. Stress can help if you need to work hard or react quickly. For example, it can help you win a race or finish an important job on time.

Generally stress is referred to as the negative response, which is the aspect we will focus on through this review.

How Does A Person Respond To Stress?

*When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger.

*Stress increases release of adrenaline into the blood stream (fight and flight response). Blood pressure rises, pulse rate rises, you begin to breathe faster and you have a sudden burst of energy.

What Can Stress Do To The Body?

If stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have adverse effects.

If you suffer from a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed, your relationships may suffer, and you may not perform well at work or school.

Stress can manifest itself in many different forms. Symptoms of stress may include insomnia, high blood pressure, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, peptic ulcers, alcohol abuse, rheumatoid arthritis and immune system dysfunction, among several others.

What Are Stress Remedies?

*The most important component in finding a stress remedy is to pinpoint the cause of your stress. You can not find a cure without a cause.

*The pharmaceutical companies have made millions in profit by providing prescription medications for stress related symptoms.

*There are natural remedies that may be as helpful, and are much safer in the long run.

*Aerobic exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Exercise improves breathing capacity, releases toxins from the body and increases release of endorphins, a natural morphine like substance that produces a feeling of euphoria.

*Individuals who exercise regularly have improved mental attitudes and resistance to stress.

*Performing yoga and meditation can be quite beneficial.The relaxation gained from breathing control and the release of negative feelings improves all around well being, both physical and mental.

*Dependency on cigarettes and alcohol are directly related to increased stress.

*By making lifestyle changes such as reducing or stopping these dependencies has a direct effect on lowering stress.

*Laugh, cry, talk, express your feelings, and don't keep anger bottled up.

*Get plenty of rest.

*Don't forget a healthy diet. That is important in countering stress also.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful in lowering stress:

1. The amino acid tyrosine is used by the body to produce certain adrenal stress hormones and chemical messengers. The brain levels of these substances decline with stress, and use of tyrosine as a supplement helps to replenish these levels.

2. Vitamin C reduces blood levels of stress hormones.

3. Omega-3-fatty acids in the form of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) has been found to reduce aggressive tendencies often associated with the "Type A" personality or "over-achievers".

4. Daily supplement of the B vitamin results in improved relaxed mood and less fatigue.

5. When we think of calcium deficiencies, we normally look at bone loss. Insufficient calcium intake produces an elevation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) which is implicated as a source of hypertension.

6. Magnesium has been found to act in a manner as calcium channel blocker drugs, thus lowering blood pressure. It has been found to reduce activity in hyperactive children and improve mental and physical quality.