Posted: Monday, November 16, 2015 10:24 am | Updated: 9:14 am, Wed Nov 18, 2015.
With the holidays quickly approaching I thought it appropriate to talk a little about stress. I really mean that in the best of ways, stress can be from a very bad situation or a good situation, but nevertheless can cause stress. I just love when all the children, spouses, grandchildren, dogs, and other friends come home for the holidays! Of course I want everything to turn out just perfect, kind of like it does in all the Hallmark movies, but that does not always happen. The most important thing is being together as a family with thankfulness in our hearts for new family members, and remembrance for the ones who are not around the table this year. I have to remind myself not to stress if the meal does not all come together perfectly or if the dogs throw up right before dinner, or unexpected company shows up at the last minute, it’s okay. Acute stress, or stress that is short lived like the examples above, or a deadline at work, getting a speeding ticket, or a fender bender, is not as alarming as chronic stress. Because it is short term, acute stress doesn’t have enough time to do the extensive damage associated with long-term stress.
Although what individuals find stressful may look different, there are some common events that cause chronic stress. Some of the most common causes of chronic stress are the following:
• Death of a Loved One- The Holmes-Raye Social Readjustment Rating Scale shows that the death of a spouse can be one of the most stressful events a person can face. Extremely painful and emotionally exhausting.
• Divorce- Research points to the fact that the mental health impact of coping with divorce was immediate, but was followed by longer-terms physical problems developing over a period of years. The fear of the unknown, having to start over, financial issues, the impact on the children and much more make this one a serious stressor.
• Finances-Finances, particularly mortgage foreclosures, are another leading cause of stress ranking at the top of the Holmes-Raye stress assessment scale.
• Health Problems or Injury-Working to get well, pain, and the worrying about how to pay for it all, can be very stressful on both the one who is not well, and the ones caring for them. Constant pain can wreak havoc with your mental health.
• Marriage-Marriage is a wonderful blessing, but it can also be very stressful at times. The perception many people have of marriage and the reality of marriage are polar opposites. Marriage takes intentional work, commitment, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
• Job related Issues-According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach, headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies.
• Childhood Trauma- unresolved childhood issues can carry over into adulthood and continue to cause stress and trauma to an individual.
• Illness of a child-Of course it is extremely stressful for a parent to see their child suffer!
• Care-giving-The responsibility of the care-giver can be exhausting, as well as very stressful.
Stress can manifest itself in your gut with things such as ulcers, irritable bowel, colitis, Cohn’s disease, reflux, heartburn just to name a few. Stress can play havoc with your immune system, which can open your body up to many autoimmune diseases as well as heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
As you know we cannot live in a bubble, where stress does not exist. We must co-exist with the stressor in our lives, paying special attention to the ones that are chronic.
If you are going through one of these major life events, talk to your Pastor and seek professional counseling. Healthy coping strategies are mandatory during these times.
See you in the gym!!
Linda Stollings is owner of fitPrescriptions, a Corporate Wellness Health Coaching Company
Email her at lstollings@fitprescriptions.com
