Stress - Quotes

Stress is the physical and psychological effects we experience as a result of the way we react to changes in the surrounding environment. - Pavel Stoyanov

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. - William James

 

Stress Turns Your Hair Grey

Can this common folklore be true after all? If it is, and you do not like your hair to be grey, you will have to stop stressing yourself out.

People develop grey hair as they age but the real cause of the colour change is stress, researchers said.

If people experienced less stress, they might keep the colour of their natural locks longer.

Stress actually damages DNA and depletes the melanocyte stem cells within hair follicles that are responsible for making the pigment-producing cells. The depletion leads to irreversible hair greying, said Dr Emi Nishimura of Kanazawa University in Japan, the lead researcher of the study which was published last month in the journal Cell.

Using mice, the researchers also showed that a “caretaker” gene called ATM serves as a checkpoint to protect against melanocyte stem cell changes. That is why people with an ageing syndrome called ataxia-telangiectasia, which is caused by a mutation in the ATM gene, go grey prematurely.

Grey hair is one of the most obvious signs of ageing. However, changes to other body stem cells have been reported and it appears stress on the stem cell pool and maintenance failures in the function of cells are strongly linked to accelerated ageing.

It is not clear though whether anything can be done to stop these processes – at least not yet.

- Los Angeles Times 

Stress: Give Vent – Or Just Let Go

Stress, one of the risk factors in heart disease, can be turned into “new energy”. 

The way you handle stress dictates whether you are going to be fired up with energy or constantly suffering fatigue. 

The number one way to energize your body is to tackle stress effectively so that it no longer drains you emotionally and physically. 

As you solve one stress inducing situation your life, your body is fired up with new energy to beat the next stressful situation, and so on. It has a snowball effect. 

First, recognize the fact that you are being affected by stress. Many people do not realize that various physical symptoms are related to some type of stress they are under. 

The most common symptoms suffered by people overloaded with stress are fatigue, muscular aches and pains, headaches, indigestion, bowel cramps, irregular heartbeat and rapid heartbeat. Most feel drained of energy. 

If you are going through a period where you feel you cannot cope with life, and you notice these symptoms starting to occur, you are likely suffering form acute stress. 

Next, identify the cause of your stress. 

Take a close look at current situations in your life. Chances are you will be able to pinpoint a problem that is triggering your stress. 

Take action to dispose of your stress. Talk about your problem with a close friend. Face the stress-causing situation head on – do not run away from it. 

You can displace your anger, too, by cussing a golf ball or yelling at the cat. You do not have to punch somebody out to blow off steam. 

If situations where you cannot show your anger, get away from the stress-causing situation for a while. Take a break, walk around the corner. 

If you can physically remove yourself from the stressful situation, you can minimize its effects on you. This is one of the best therapies for relieving stress. 

When you are faced with a serious problem, do not try to solve it all at once. Take one step at a time. You will ultimately be able to resolve the problem. 

To make it easier to tackle the problems causing your stress, you should take good care of your body. Eat properly, get enough rest, avoid pushing yourself to physical and emotional limits, and exercise. 

Place stressful factors in perspective. Do not agonize over stress-causing situations you cannot control. For instance, if you lose a loved one or friend, do not let it gnaw away at you for months and months. Realize you cannot bring the person back – and get on with your life. 

Also, do not waste time worrying about problems that really are not serious. Stand back and ask yourself whether another person would allow that particular situation to cause them anxiety. Often you will realize that you are overacting. 

Do not resort to alcohol or drugs when you are under stress. These only compound the stress. When the drugs or alcohol wears off, the stressful situation is still there. 

Avoid doing anything to hurt yourself as a response to stress. Vent your stress in a non-harmful way. 

Following these steps is the number one way to turn stress into energy. Not only will it give you the strength and resolve to handle stressful situations – it also will dramatically reduce those occasions when you suffer the symptoms of stress. 

- Source Unknown 

Stress

Excessive stress lies somewhere behind most troubles and illness. If your adrenalin runs at a high level for long periods, with little chance of appropriate action, your adrenal glands will become depleted. Your breathing will either become too rapid or will be restricted and shallow. Your digestion will be upset or strained in some way. If you feel nervous or queasy the first thing to do is to breathe more deeply and slowly. This will calm you down, settle your nerves and increase the supply of oxygen to your body.

Combating Stress 

Stress: What is it? 

There is no running away from it. We all experience it to some degree as we go about our daily activities and interactions. In general, the body reacts to perceived threats by releasing adrenaline and other hormones. Our metabolic rate, blood pressure, and heart and respiratory rates increase, and blood rushes into the muscles. This is called the "fight-or fight" response. These hormones allow energy stored in the body to be released for use by the body. If they are not burnt off through physical exertion, they remain in the bloodstream and can cause problems. 

Stress can be sudden or progressive. A feeling of lack of control over your life, a change in your financial situation, and excessive or continuous work demands or repetitive tasks can lead to stress. Studies suggest that the leading stressors are family and job demands, followed by excessive environmental noise. 

Stress is manifested physically as muscle tension, headaches, lower back pain, insomnia and high blood pressure. Psychological symptoms of stress include irritability, anxiety, impaired concentration, poor judgement, frustration and anger. Unresolved stress can cause a sudden increase or decease in appetite, and the over consumption of alcohol or cigarettes. 

Treating Stress

Regular Exercise: Exercise can "burn off" stress-related chemicals released by our body. It aids in relaxation by producing endorphins, the "feel good" chemicals of the body. The best type of exercise is one with a repetitive rhythm, such as walking or jogging. By focusing your mind on the repetition, your mind has a chance to forget its worries and restore itself. 

Daily focus on progressive relaxation: When we close our eyes and breathe deeply, while alternately tensing and relaxing our muscles, we can achieve a state of relaxation. Playing music and visualizing pleasant thoughts can also aid in relaxation, as they decrease respiratory, heart and metabolic rates. 

Planning your time wisely: By prioritising our activities, we can have more control over our lives. Prioritising gives us time to concentrate on important matters while letting low priority maters slide. Make time for yourself to do things you like or to relax. 

Tips to Decrease Stress

1) Nurture important relationships: close relationships are strongly associated with better immune function. Surround yourself with and confide in people you trust.

2) Eat a balanced diet: Curb the effects of stress by getting the nutrients your body needs for optimal health. Carbohydrates trigger the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is soothing to the body.

3) Learn to let go: There are many things in life that we can't control. Accept this fact. A positive attitude can help you control stress. 

- Source Unknown