Definition of Stress and Some Tips On How To Manage It
The definition of stress is highly relative. We can refer to how Hans Selye defines it as nonspecific response of the body to any demand for change. Another way of defining it is that it is a condition or feeling when an individual perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources he or she is able to mobilize. But, most people would simply regard it as a feeling of emotional, mental, or physical tension.
What may be stressful for you may not be stressful for me. For instance, you may find yourself enjoying while participating in a competition while I am thinking when the competition is going to end. People also have different levels of tolerance for particularly stressful situations such as natural catastrophes and death in the family.
While the mention of the word stress makes us think of negative feelings, it is necessary to make us motivated and productive, however. It is what makes us wake up early in the morning, prepare for an upcoming exam, and finish our tasks on time. But it can really be harmful to our overall health when there is too much of it that the body cannot positively respond to. Thus, the importance of being able to manage it properly cannot be overemphasized.
Here are some stress management tips that you can make use of:
- Find time to relax. Your daily schedule should include some relaxation time. And when it is relaxation time, it should be relaxation time. Set aside your obligations. Be sure, though, that you avoid unhealthy coping strategies such as smoking, excessive drinking, overeating or undereating, and sleeping too much.
- Express your feelings. Have someone that you are comfortable sharing what you are feeling with, be he or she a loved one, a trusted friend, or even a professional counselor.
- Have a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are some of the basic practices that help keep your body healthy. You should understand that the healthier your body is, the better prepared it is to positively respond to stressful situations.
Indeed, the definition of stress varies as much as each of the things that distresses us. Thus, we should know those things so that we can avoid them. However, tragic situations just do happen where we cannot help but be overly distressed. In times like those, it would not hurt if we keep in mind that we have a support system in the persons of our family and friends.
