A stressor is defined as something (or someone) that causes a state of strain or tension. Stressors can be different for everyone and are usually people, places, situations, or feelings. It is very common that most people are affected daily by chronic stress.
Common stressors are:
● Life changes
● Money/Budgeting
● Death of a loved one
● Illness
● Social situations
● Daily responsibilities
● Holidays/Travel
It is important to identify your stressors and understand your reaction to them. If you are unsure about the triggers of your stress, keep a journal, writing down the chronicle of each time you feel stressed, the situation it involved, and how you responded to it.
Your body reacts to stress by signaling the “fight or flight” response. Below are some of the changes that may occur in your body during this response:
● Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol are released
● Heart rate increases
● Respiration increases
● Muscles become tense
● Blood pressure elevates
● Blood sugar elevates
● Pupils dilate to sharpen vision
● Hands and feet get cold and clammy
● More blood flows to the large muscles
● Sweating increases
● The body becomes more numb to pain
Remember, your goal is stress relief, so take a deep breath.
If the stress hormones aren’t used to fight or flee, you will remain in a constant state of alertness. This may cause illness or make it hard to handle simple, daily routines. Some symptoms that stress causes are listed below.
Physical symptoms: You may not feel well if you’re under stress. For instance, you may have:
● Headaches
● Stiff neck or shoulders
● Back pain
● Frequent tiredness
● Sexual dysfunction
● An upset stomach
● Muscle tension
● Trouble sleeping
● Increased sweating
● Irregular heart beat
● Frequent colds or flu
● Skin problems, such as eczema
Emotional symptoms: You may respond to stress with a range of emotions, including:
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Anger/Hostility
● Impatience/Irritability
● A feeling of helplessness
Cognitive: Stress may affect the way you think. For instance, you may have:
● Poor concentration
● Forgetfulness
● A hard time doing things right
● Learning problems
● Speech problems
● Obsessive, negative thoughts
Behavioral: When you’re under stress, you may act in ways that aren’t normal for you. For instance, you may:
● Eat poorly
● Smoke or drink too much, or use drugs
● Drive recklessly
● Become accident-prone
● Communicate poorly
● Show extreme anger
You can learn to change certain stressors that you can control and let go of the ones you cannot. ichoiceRelax technology will help you identify the triggers of your stress. Using the ichoiceRelax pulse oximeter in stressful situations will help you reduce anxiety and manage stress. After consistent and diligent practice, you will learn to relax. With 20 minutes of daily practice you can achieve a calm state without using the sensor. With practice, ichoiceRelax will teach you how to activate the proper response mechanisms to reduce stress